"You are not displeased with me for that?"

"No;" he looked up full in the school-master's face, although his voice
was choked.

"My dear child, I will stand by you as long as I live."

The school-master waited for Oyvind until the latter had gathered
together his books, then said that he would accompany him home. They
walked slowly along. At first Oyvind was silent and his struggle went
on, but gradually he gained his self-control. He was convinced that
what had occurred was the best thing that in any way could have
happened to him; and before he reached home, his belief in this had
become so strong that he gave thanks to his God, and told the
school-master so.

"Yes, now we can think of accomplishing something in life," said the
school-master, "instead of playing blind-man's buff, and chasing after
numbers. What do you say to the seminary?"

"Why, I should like very much to go there."

"Are you thinking of the agricultural school?"

"Yes."

"That is, without doubt, the best; it provides other openings than a
school-master's position."

"But how can I go there? I earnestly desire it, but I have not the