[THE "NAIAD"]
A FEW days after Christmas, Ung-Joel came back to Grimön with a message from Olaus, to ask if Sven would take a share in the herring fishery on board the motor-boat Naiad, belonging to his crew.
"He says it's hardly likely you could get taken on with any other crew," said Ung-Joel; "but seeing that you're my brother, I was to tell you. They'll not be the best of company, I doubt, that sail with Olaus."
Mor Elversson declared at once that it was out of the question; Sven should never have any dealings with any of them. But his father thought otherwise.
"It wouldn't be a bad thing, perhaps, if Sven tried to pick up the ways of the fishery on the coast here," he said. "And it's true enough he'd hardly get taken on with any other crew."
"Joel! How can you talk so!" cried his wife. "Who knows what they've been plotting and planning now, to send for him like that. Some new mischief, I'll be bound."
"Why, I only said 'twas a pity Sven shouldn't have a part in the fishery," said Joel, mildly.
But Sven remembered his father's words on Christmas Eve, and it came into his mind now that perhaps it was his wish to get him away from home.
"You can tell Olaus I'll come," he said to his brother.
"And thank him for offering. I'll go over to Fårön myself as soon as I can."