answer.

"This, Oyvind, has been a well-merited recompense. You have not
studied from love of your religion, or of your parents; you have
studied from vanity."

There was silence in the room after every sentence the school-master
uttered. Oyvind felt his gaze resting on him, and he melted and grew
humble under it.

"With such wrath in your heart, you could not have come forward to make
a covenant with your God. Do you think you could, Oyvind?"

"No," the boy stammered, as well as he was able.

"And if you stood there with vain joy, over being number one, would you
not be coming forward with a sin?"

"Yes, I should," whispered Oyvind, and his lips quivered.

"You still love me, Oyvind?"

"Yes;" here he looked up for the first time.

"Then I will tell you that it was I who had you put down; for I am very
fond of you, Oyvind."

The other looked at him, blinked several times, and the tears rolled
down in rapid succession.