Peer sighed, and drooped as he stood. When he saw the green-backed book
locked into its drawer again, and heard the keys rattle as they went
back into a pocket under the dressing-gown, he felt as if some one were
pointing a jeering finger at him, and saying, "Yah!"

"Then there's another thing. About your name. What name have you thought
of taking, my lad--surname, I mean?"

"My name is Peer Holm!" said the boy, instinctively drawing himself up
as he had done when the bishop had patted his head at the confirmation
and asked his name.

The schoolmaster pursed up his lips, took off his spectacles and wiped
them, put them on again, and turned to the bookshelves with a sigh. "Ah,
indeed!--yes--yes--I almost thought as much."

Then he came forward and laid a hand kindly on Peer's shoulder.

"My dear boy--that is out of the question."

A shiver went through Peer. Had he done something wrong again?

"See here, my boy--have you considered that there may be others of that
name in this same place?"

"Yes--but--"

"Wait a minute--and that you would occasion these--others--the deepest
pain and distress if it should become known that--well, how matters