"Well, how did you get on at the town?" asked the neighbour.
"Only so and so," said the man. "I cannot say I have had good or bad luck," and then he began and told them all that had happened.
"Well," said the neighbour, "you will catch it when you get home to your wife. Heaven help you! I would not stand in your shoes."
"I think things might have been much worse," said Gudbrand of the Hillside; "but whether things have gone well or badly, I have such a gentle wife that she never says anything, do what I will."
"Ah," said the neighbour, "I hear what you say, but I don't believe it."
"Shall we make a bet?" said Gudbrand. "I have a hundred dollars lying at home in a chest, will you lay as much?"
The neighbour was willing, so the bet was made. They waited till evening, and then set out for Gudbrand's house. The neighbour stood outside the door, while Gudbrand went inside to his wife.
"Good evening," said Gudbrand, when he was inside.
"Good evening," said his wife. "Heaven be praised. Is it you?"
Yes, it was he. His wife then asked him how things went at the town.