Then Magnus turned to Christian Christiansson and said, "I'm much obliged for your offer, sir, but my niece is not for sale."
With that he was passing out of the house, when Christian Christiansson, who was quivering from head to foot, cried, "Wait!"
"Well?"
"You have decided for yourself fast enough--have you thought of anybody else?"
"Who else is there to think about?"
"Your mother for one. If you refuse my offer and the house is sold over your heads to-morrow morning, what is to become of her?"
Magnus flushed as if an invisible hand had smitten him across the face.
"What is to become of the girl, too--have you thought of that? Have you a right to send her into service--to be a drudge to somebody?"
Magnus was shuddering visibly--even the bowl was trembling in his hands.
"No doubt you are fond of the girl and have been good to her, but if she were your own daughter she would be a separate being, and in a case like this you would have no right to speak for her."