The mockeryin her eyes was undisguised, Why dont
you ask at least where Ilive. For the first time she hadsmiled and even
laughed.
Hewas crouching on a low stool in front of the
womans seat; and hewas leaning his head on her. Niels no longer blamed her for the
state of her house. But something happened which destroyed the distancingeffect of
that look.
For a moment longer he lingered; then he turned and
went away. Whatever we get the Jew puts his hand on. And silent they kept for
another half hour.
Ive looked about a good deal, he said at
last.
You never got the drill after all, Niels shouted at
last. Niels was reclining on the bags that were piled on the grain whilethe horses
slowly plodded along.
Perhaps he, too, had promised her a carefreelife
and a princedom in the worlds domains.
Kelm, the German, and his cronies were playing at
cards .
Somebody called for Nelson, somebody else, for the
bride. They sat down, Ellen resuming a crochet-hook and some wool withwhich she had
beguiled the time.
And, nodding at him, she lost herself inthe
crowd.
Had it not been for his companion, hewould have
turned back . It was a cold, frosty winter morning when he set out, driving
hishorses. All right, said Bobby and squirmed away in the crush. Since there were
barrels in thewagon-box, Niels had no doubt but that it was Ellen
It was just before dark when they crossed the
bridge. Then he thought of going for the grain which was his, as his shareof Nelsons
crop . Niels looked back at her, without speaking.
He could not defend himself just now against a
feeling of fear: thefear of life .
For a moment longer he lingered; then he turned and
went away.
Among the harvest crews heenjoyed, though he never
fought, the reputation of being a fighter. All through the winter Niels worked at
clearing yard and field, atsquaring and fitting timbers . Sigurdsen, she said with a
steady voice; and,turning to Niels, she nodded and repeated, Sit down.
Soon it grew up, a mansion, holding four rooms,
with a lean-tokitchen .