"She grows more and more like her mother, and sometimes I think it can only be a dream that our dear Thora is dead. If you had heard her praying for the miracle it would have filled your heart brimful. She has gone to bed quite certain that the miracle will come before morning."
"It would have to be a miracle to help us now, mother," said Magnus. "And miracles don't happen--except such of them as we make for ourselves."
"What do you mean by that, Magnus?" said Anna, lighting the candles.
"I mean--if I had to live my life over again, I shouldn't try to do what is right, mother."
"You wouldn't do what is wrong, would you?"
"There is no wrong and no right, mother; there is only what is best, and if I had to begin over again, I should do what was best--best for myself and for the people about me."
"You don't know what you are saying, Magnus. There are moments when it might seem to be best to rob, even to kill----"
"And why not?" said Magnus--he was bolting the door. "If a man came to this house to-night with eight thousand crowns in his pocket, do you think I should hesitate to take them?"
"My son, you don't mean it."
"I do!"