"Yes, you have our thanks," said the father, and the school-master
moved away.

They long stood there gazing after him.




CHAPTER VII.


The school-master had judged the boy correctly when he asked the priest
to try whether Oyvind could bear to stand number one. During the three
weeks which elapsed before the confirmation, he was with the boy every
day. It is one thing for a young, tender soul to yield to an
impression; what through faith it shall attain is another thing. Many
dark hours fell upon Oyvind before he learned to choose the goal of his
future from something better than ambition and defiance. Often in the
midst of his work he lost his interest and stopped short: what was it
all for, what would he gain by it?--and then presently he would
remember the school-master, his words and his kindness; and this human
medium forced him to rise up again every time he fell from a
comprehension of his higher duty.

In those days while they were preparing at Pladsen for the
confirmation, they were also preparing for Oyvind's departure for the
agricultural school, for this was to take place the following day.
Tailor and shoemaker were sitting in the family-room; the mother was
baking in the kitchen, the father working at a chest. There was a