"How splendid! How noble! That's what I do call brotherly! Oscar tells me that you think you can put the contract aside without involving me or reflecting upon him. You are too good--too generous--too forgiving--how can I thank you?"
"By giving me Oscar's letter," said Magnus.
"What do you want with it?"
"I want to have it in my pocket when I do my work to-morrow. That's only fair--that while I am doing my part I hold Oscar's written assurance that he intends to do his."
"You wouldn't produce it to Oscar's injury?"
"Many a man sharpens his axe who never uses it," said Magnus.
Thora returned the letter to Magnus, and he put it back in his pocket.
"Now you must answer it," said Magnus.
"Not yet, not immediately," said Thora.
"Immediately," said Magnus, and taking pen and paper from a sideboard, he put them before her.