“Well, my father has set them both free.”
“Bof f’ee?” repeated Snorro, with a puzzled look.
“Yes, both.”
“W’at’s f’ee?” asked Snorro.
Olaf was greatly perplexed, for he knew not how to convey an idea of the meaning of that word to his little friend. He made various attempts, however, by means of simple illustrations and words, to explain it, but without success—as was made plain by Snorro’s usually intelligent countenance remaining a perfect blank.
At last he seized the child by both wrists and held him fast for a few seconds.
“Snorro,” he said, “you are not free while I hold you. Now,” he added, releasing the wrists, “you are free.”
Snorro’s countenance was no longer blank, but, on the contrary, extremely perplexed.
“Leif,” he said, “no’ hold Heika an’ Hake by e hands!”
“No,” replied Olaf, “but he holds them by the spirit.”