"He is quite safe, I am sure. He has taken shelter somewhere. Besides, he loves a thunderstorm, the silly fellow! Isn't it ridiculous? Now, I think the only pleasant place in a thunderstorm is the coal-cellar. I've found it a most consoling refuge."
And when Alan said:
"I'm getting awfully anxious about father, Knutty," she answered:
"Now, really, kjaere, don't be foolish. He can take care of himself. He was not born yesterday."
They all tried to reassure and divert the boy, all of them, including even Ejnar.
"If the Kemiker does not bring some treasure back from his long expedition," he said, "I, for one, will have nothing to say to such a contemptible wretch."
Mor Inga came to add her word of comfort.
"No doubt the Professor has taken shelter at that little lonely Saeter in the direction of F——," she said.
"He will be comfortable there; and the old woman makes an excellent cup of coffee."
The storm died down. The early evening passed into the late evening; and still Clifford did not come. Ten o'clock struck, and still he did not come. At twelve o'clock the storm broke loose again and raged with redoubled fury. Knutty, Katharine, and Alan watched together, in Knutty's room. They could not induce the boy to go to bed. He was in great distress.