"Yes, we know that," said the girls once more. They were bent on hearing something new.
"But Niels is like his father; I dare say he will go along," continued Thorvald.
"Of course he will go along," said Ole Böen; "this morning early, before any one was stirring over yonder at our gard, I saw Niels Böen, Lars the hunter, and one man more, going up the mountain with their rifles. I should not be surprised if they were going to the parsonage wood."
"Was it early?" asked the children, in concert.
"Very early! I was up before mother, and started the fire."
"Did Lars have the long rifle?" asked Hans.
"That I do not know, but the one he had was as long as from here to the chair."
"Oh, what a story!" said Thorvald.
"Why, you said so yourself," answered Ole.
"No, the long rifle which I saw, he will scarcely use any more."