"He did indeed," said the schoolmaster and his wife, both in the same breath.
"He has been attending the school in Falun," Karin explained.
"That's why he hasn't been here before."
"Aren't you going to let him go back this year, too?"
Karin dropped her eyes and a sigh escaped her. "He has the name of being a good student," she said, evading his question.
"I'm only afraid that I can't teach him anything. He must know as much as I do."
"Well, I guess the schoolmaster knows a good deal more than a little chap like him." Then came another pause, after which Karin continued: "This is not only the question of his attending school, but I would also like to ask whether you and Mother Stina would let the boy come here to live."
The schoolmaster and his wife looked at each other in astonishment, but neither of them was prepared to answer.
"I fear our quarters are rather close," said Storm, presently.
"I thought that perhaps you might be willing to accept milk and butter and eggs as part payment."
"As to that—"