The latter took a seat; the wife left the room, the man continued to work; and so Arne asked if he too should begin.
"Let us first have dinner."
The wife did not come in again; but the next time the kitchen-door opened it was Eli who came. She appeared at first not to notice Arne; when he rose to go to her, she stood still, and half turned to give him her hand, but she did not look at him. They exchanged a few words; the father worked on. Eli had her hair braided, wore a tight-sleeved dress, was slender and straight, had round wrists and small hands. She laid the table; the working-people dined in the next room, but Arne with the family in this one; it so happened that they had their meals separately to-day; usually they all ate at the same table in the large, light kitchen.
"Is not mother coming?" asked the man.
"No, she is up-stairs weighing wool."
"Have you asked her?"
"Yes; but she says she does not want anything."
There was silence for a while.
"But it is cold up-stairs."
"She did not want me to make a fire."