“Surely. I have no doubt you are right,” replied Peder.
The neighbours were rather sorry, but they could not object. They smiled at Oddo, and nodded encouragement, when he implored Rolf to fix a time when everything might be known, and to answer just this and just that little inquiry.
“Oddo,” said his grandfather, “be a man among us men. Show that your honour is more to you than your curiosity.”
“Thank you, grandfather, I will. I will ask only one more question; and that Rolf will thank me for. Had we not better fix some place, far away from Hund’s eyes and thoughts, for my master and Rolf to have their talk; and then I will guide my master—”
“Guide your master,” cried Rolf, laughing, “when your master knew every rock and every track in the country years enough before you were born!”
“You did not let me finish,” said Oddo. “You may want a messenger,—he or you; and I know every track in the country: and there is no one swifter of foot, or that can keep counsel better.”
“That is true, Rolf,” said Peder. “If the boy is too curious to know everything, it is not for the sake of telling it again. If you should happen to want a messenger, it may be worth attending to what he says.”
“I have no objection to add that to my plan, if Erlingsen pleases,” said Rolf. “I must see Erlingsen; but there is another person that I must make haste to see,—that I would fly to if I could. What I wish is, that my master would meet me on the road to where she is; supposing Hund to remain at home.”
He was told that there was no fear of Hund’s roving while the bishop was daily expected. Rolf having been out of the way, the whole story of the journey of the bishop of Tronyem had to be told him. It made him thoughtful; and he dropped a word or two of satisfaction, as if it had thrown new light upon what he was thinking of.
“All this,” said he, “only makes me wish the more to see Erlingsen immediately. I should say the best way will be for you to set me ashore somewhere short of home, and ask Erlingsen to meet me at the Black Tarn. There cannot be a quieter place: and I shall be so far on my way to the seater.”