"But the money, you see, the money? I have no money."
"We shall get on slowly without money, but still we shall get on!"
"We shall get on! To be sure we shall get on! But things would improve much quicker if we HAD money you say?"
"A very great deal quicker."
"A great deal? We should have had money; yes, yes; but one can chew without all one's teeth; he who drives only with oxen still gets on."
The mother stood and winked at Thore, who often glanced up quickly at her as he sat and rocked himself backwards and forwards, stroking his hands down over his knees; the schoolmaster blinked at him.
Thore cleared his throat a little, and tried to begin, but Ole and Ovind were talking so incessantly, laughing and making such a noise, that it was impossible for any one else to be heard.
"Could you be quiet a little, Thore has something to say," breaks in the schoolmaster, at which they stop and look at Thore.
At last he begins in a low tone, "It has happened that at this place we have had a mill, and of late years it has happened we have had two. From year to year we have always had a penny or two from these mills; but neither my father nor I have touched the money, excepting that time Ovind was away. The schoolmaster had it in charge, and he says it has prospered,--but now it is best that Ovind should get it for Nordistuen."
The mother stood in the corner, making herself quite little, as with a face glowing with pleasure she gazed at Thore, who, on his part, sat immoveable, and looking almost stupid; Ole Nordistuen sat in front of him with gaping mouth; Ovind was the first to recover himself from the surprise, and breaking out: "Good luck attends me!" went across the room to his father, clapped him on the shoulder. "Oh father!" said he, rubbed his hands, and went back again.