Katharine paused.
"That he would never forgive himself if he were to lose his father before he had told him what his trouble had been."
Knutty put down her knitting.
"Why did you say that?" she asked.
"I don't know," Katharine answered. "It came into my head, and I felt something had to be done to help the boy through the barrier of silence at once."
"Before it was too late, you meant?" Knutty said, looking distressed.
"Yes," replied Katharine simply.
"Well," said Knutty, in her own generous way, "I am glad he knew you did it."
But they were not to be allowed to have further private conversation that afternoon; for Bedstemor, now recovered from the first shock of Bedstefar's death, came across from her own house to the Gaard. Ragnhild hurried out to the porch, and begged Fröken Knudsgaard to keep Bedstemor by her side and prevent her from making a descent on the kitchen, where already great preparations were going on for the funeral feast.