“‘Not bad,’ replied the proposing buyer, in a careless tone, chuckling inwardly at the thought of the bargain he was going to drive with the plainly-dressed, simple-looking old bonder, but careful not to betray his admiration of the magnificent timber, for fear of sending up the prices.
“‘No, not so bad,’ said Ole Ulen, as they walked homeward.
“‘Well, what’s to be the price?’ asked the merchant, while they were drinking a glass of brandy.
“‘Price!’ replied the other; ‘I’m not going to sell them—never thought of it. You asked to look at them, and so you have, and welcome, and well worth seeing they are.’
“‘Well, no doubt,’ said Knut; ‘he might do what he liked with his own trees. Sell them or not, as he thought proper.’
“‘But he’s so fond of his money, he won’t help his own kith and kin. There was his son-in-law, over the river, had just completed a purchase, and went to him to borrow three hundred dollars.
“‘Very sorry,’ was his reply, ‘but he had got no cash in the house.’
“The young man went and got accommodated at another farm, and then returned to Ule’s.
“‘Well, how have you fared?’