"Well, this one was, at all events, as long—as long—as from here, nearly over to the chair."
"Ah! perhaps he had it with him then after all."
"Just think," said Marit, "now they are up among the bears."
"And at this very moment they may be in a fight," said Thorvald.
Then followed a deep, nay, almost solemn silence.
"I think I will go," said Thorvald, taking his cap.
"Yes! yes! then you will find out something," shouted all the rest, and they became full of life again.
"But the school-master?" said he, and stopped.
"Nonsense! you are the priest's son," said Ole Böen.
"Yes, if the school-master touches me with a finger!" said Thorvald, with a significant nod, in the midst of the deep silence of the rest.