Presently she was again disturbed by the appearance of a round, sunburnt, smiling face at the kitchen door. But the smile vanished as Lauritz, looking sheepish and awkward, walked in. He had evidently expected to see some one else.
"Welcome home, Lauritz," said Sarah, in a friendly voice.
"Thank you," said Lauritz, in his deepest tones, as he stood rubbing his hands together in the doorway.
"Do you wish to see my mother?"
"Yes; I want to know if I can lodge here."
"My mother is in the sitting-room."
Lauritz Seehus was almost like a younger brother to Sarah, for he had boarded at Madame Torvestad's ever since his school days. His own home at Flekkefjord was not a happy one; his father drank, and there was a swarm of small children.
In a few moments Lauritz reappeared, crestfallen and wretched.
"What, Lauritz," said Sarah, "are you going away so soon?"
"Yes," said he, hurrying out, "I could not manage it."