Oyvind made no reply.

"You are perhaps ashamed to confess it since you are not yet confirmed;
but tell me, nevertheless, my dear Oyvind, and you shall not regret
it."

Oyvind raised his eyes but could not speak the word, and let his gaze
wander away.

"You are not happy, either, of late. Does she care more for any one
else than for you?"

Oyvind was still silent, and the school-master, feeling slightly hurt,
turned away from him. They retraced their steps.

After they had walked a long distance, the school-master paused long
enough for Oyvind to come up to his side.

"I presume you are very anxious to be confirmed," said he.

"Yes."

"What do you think of doing afterwards?"

"I should like to go to the seminary."

"And then become a school-master?"

"No."