"She doesn't say exactly in the letter. But it must be something altogether different from what folk pay down here, that's plain. Why, she gets Christmas presents, and presents other times as well, and not counted off her wages at all."
"Ho!" said Isak.
"You wouldn't like to have her up at your place?" asked Brede.
"I?" said Isak, all taken aback.
"No, of course, he he! It was only a way of speaking. Barbro's well enough where she is. What was I going to say? You didn't notice anything wrong with the line coming down—the telegraph, what?"
"With the telegraph? No."
"No, no … There's not much wrong with it now since I took over. And then I've my own machine here on the wall to give a warning if anything happens. I'll have to take a walk up along the line one of these days and see how things are. I've too much to manage and look after, 'tis more than one man's work. But as long as I'm Inspector here, and hold an official position, of course I can't neglect my duties. If I hadn't the telegraph, of course … and it may not be for long…."
"Why?" said Isak. "You thinking of giving it up, maybe?"
"Well, I can't say exactly," said Brede. "I haven't quite decided.
They want me to move down into the village again."
"Who is it wants you?" asked Isak.