“Well, then, you must come farther over here, so that the schoolmaster may not hear.”
He changed his place, and then she recited a little piece of a song three or four times over, so that the boy learned it.
“Up with you, youngsters!” called out the schoolmaster. “This is the first day, so you shall be dismissed early; but first we must say a prayer, and sing.”
Instantly, all was life in the school; they jumped down from the benches, sprung over the floor, and talked into each other’s mouths.
“Silence! you young torments, you little beggars, you noisy boys! be quiet, and walk softly across the floor, little children,” said the schoolmaster; and now they walked quietly, and took their places, after which the schoolmaster went in front of them, and made a short prayer. Then they sung. The schoolmaster began in a deep bass, all the children stood with folded hands, and joined in. Oeyvind stood farthest down by the door with Marit, and looked on; they also folded their hands, but they could not sing.
That was the first day at school.
