"Four thousand," said Geissler. "The land was his, and his share comes to four thousand. It wasn't mine, and I get forty thousand. Kindly turn that over in your minds, if you please."
"Yes, but—four thousand Kroner!"
Geissler rose from his place, and said: "That, or no sale."
They thought it over, whispered about it, went out into the yard, talking as long as they could. "Get the horses ready," they called to the servants. One of the gentlemen went in to Inger and paid royally for coffee, a few eggs, and their lodging. Geissler walked about with a careless air, but he was wide awake all the same.
"How did that irrigation work turn out last year?" he asked Sivert.
"It saved the whole crop."
"You've cut away that mound there since I was here last, what?"
"Ay."
"You must have another horse on the farm," said Geissler. He noticed everything.
One of the strangers came up. "Now then, let's get this matter settled and have done with it," he said.