"I know it," said Isak, looking straight at her. "I've seen that sheep before."
He walks up with Axel Ström on the way back, leading his sheep on a string. Axel is taciturn, seemingly anxious about something, whatever it might be. There's nothing he need be troubled about that one can see, thinks Isak; his crops are looking well, most of his fodder is housed already, and he has begun timbering his house. All as it should be with Axel Ström; a thought slowly, but sure in the end. And now he had got a horse.
"So you've bought Brede's place?" said Isak. "Going to work it yourself?"
"No, not for myself. I bought it for another man."
"Ho!"
"What d'you think; was it too much I gave for it?"
"Why, no. Tis good land for a man that'll work it as it should."
"I bought it for a brother of mine up in Helgeland."
"Ho!"
"Then I thought perhaps I'd half a mind to change with him, too."