He would do it. He would start tomorrow. And, meanwhile, how was he to pass the rest of today?
Suddenly he thought of the doctor. A talk with him would be good medicine to shake off idle fancies. Yes, he would ride over and see the doctor.
And this time he saddled his horse without a trace of hesitation, and rode off to the trading station.
CHAPTER IX
The doctor was in unusually good spirits when Ørlygur arrived.
He had good reason to be pleased with himself; not only had he found a housekeeper in place of the last, who had left him without notice, but he had found the most beautiful girl in the parish to succeed her.
And if ever there was a man who knew how to appreciate good looks in his housekeeper, it was Jon Hallsson, the doctor.
Ørlygur was unaware of the direct cause of his friend’s good humour, and when the doctor invited him to stay and sample the new housekeeper’s cooking, he accepted without ever dreaming—and without asking—who the new housekeeper might be. The doctor was always changing his folk, and Ørlygur was not interested in the subject.
“If you’ve come to try my whisky, why, you couldn’t have chosen a better time,” said the doctor gaily. “I’m just in the humour for a bout today—after dinner, that is.”
Ørlygur shook his head.