"I've other things to think of," says Eleseus. "I'm out on business—opening up connections."
"No call to be so free with your betters, Katrine," says her father reprovingly. Oh, Brede Olsen is all respect towards Eleseus, mighty respectful for him to be. And well he may, 'tis but wise of him, seeing he owes money up at Storborg, and here's his creditor before him. And Eleseus? Ho, all this deference pleases him, and he is kind and gracious in return; calls Brede "My dear sir," in jest, and goes on that way. He mentions that he has forgotten his umbrella: "Just as we were passing Breidablik, I thought of it; left my umbrella behind."
Brede asks: "You'll be going over to our little store this evening, belike, for a drink?"
Says Eleseus: "Ay, maybe, if 'twas only myself. But I've my father here."
Brede makes himself pleasant, and goes on gossiping: "There's a fellow coming in day after tomorrow that's on his way to America."
"Been home, d'you mean?"
"Ay. He's from up in the village a bit. Been away for ever so many years, and home for the winter. His trunk's come down already by cart—and a mighty fine trunk."
"I've thought of going to America myself once or twice," says Eleseus frankly.
"You?" cries Brede. "Why, there's little need for the likes of you going that way surely!"
"Well, 'twas not going over to stay for ever I was thinking. But I've been travelling about so many places now, I might just as well make the trip over there."