"Things are not just as you would wish them now, Ole."
"Nor have they been as far back as I can remember."
"Well it was the same with me for a long time. I was not on good terms with a friend of mine, I wanted him to come to me, and I was miserable; at last I bethought me I would go to him, and since then I have been happy."
Ole looks up, but is silent.
The schoolmaster: "How do you think the farm is doing, Ole?"
"It is going backwards like myself."
"Who will take it when you are gone?"
"It is just this I don't know, and it troubles me."
"Your neighbours are doing well, Ole."
"Yes, they have the Agriculturist to help them."