silent. Jan tried to start a conversation, but failed. Finally the
boy rose to go.

"It's so nice to get a little help sometimes," said Jan. "Now I
have another favour to ask of you. We don't know just what to do
with Glory Goldie's kitten. It will have to be put out of the way,
I suppose, as we can't afford to keep it; but I can't bear the
thought of that, nor has Katrina the heart to drown it. We've
talked of asking some stranger to take it."

August Där Nol stammered a few words, which could scarcely be
heard.

"You can put the kitten in a basket, Katrina," Jan said to his
wife, "then August will take it along, so that we'll not have to
see it again."

Katrina then picked up a little kitten that lay asleep on the bed,
placed it in an old basket around which she wrapped a cloth, and
then turned it over to the boy.

"I'm glad to be rid of this kitten," said Jan. "It's wee happy and
Playful--too much like Glory Goldie herself. It's best to have it
out of the way."

Young Där Nol, without a word, went toward the door; but suddenly
he turned back, took Jan's hand, and pressed it.

"Thanks!" he said in a choked voice. "You have given me more than
you yourself know."