Part 7 (1/2)
”No.”
”Will you not take part in a dance, boy?”
”No; not yet.”
”Not yet? When, then?”
Oyvind did not answer.
”What do you mean by _yet_?”
As the youth did not answer, the school-master said,--
”Come, now, no such nonsense.”
”No, I will not go.”
He was very decided and at the same time agitated.
”The idea of your own school-master standing here and begging you to go to a dance.”
There was a long pause.
”Is there any one in there whom you are afraid to see?”
”I am sure I cannot tell who may be in there.”
”But is there likely to be any one?”
Oyvind was silent. Then the school-master walked straight up to him, and laying his hand on his shoulder, said,--
”Are you afraid to see Marit?”
Oyvind looked down; his breathing became heavy and quick.
”Tell me, Oyvind, my boy?”
Oyvind made no reply.
”You are perhaps ashamed to confess it since you are not yet confirmed; but tell me, nevertheless, my dear Oyvind, and you shall not regret it.”
Oyvind raised his eyes but could not speak the word, and let his gaze wander away.
”You are not happy, either, of late. Does she care more for any one else than for you?”
Oyvind was still silent, and the school-master, feeling slightly hurt, turned away from him. They retraced their steps.
After they had walked a long distance, the school-master paused long enough for Oyvind to come up to his side.
”I presume you are very anxious to be confirmed,” said he.