His father interrupted him with another laugh.
“No, Einar; you can’t expect me to remember what you dream.”
For a moment Einar felt perplexed. He had expected to be loaded with abuse; but this kindness and this cool assurance began to disarm him. He passed his hand across his forehead, and looked before him a little helplessly. Had he dreamt it? Was it really nonsense he was talking?
And though for his part the old man laughed, he thought to himself: “I wonder whether some one or other has been taking the boy in! It would be just like them!”
But now Einar raised his head.
“No, father,” he said, “I’m not making a mistake; for you haven’t put your name to any other papers for Wangen, have you?”
“Ha! ha! ha! No indeed, thank goodness!”
“Well, father, then you must take back your accusation, for Wangen is innocent!”
There was a pause.