Part 9 (2/2)
”Yes.”
”That is, without doubt, the best; it provides other openings than a school-master's position.”
”But how can I go there? I earnestly desire it, but I have not the means.”
”Be industrious and good, and I dare say the means will be found.”
Oyvind felt completely overwhelmed with grat.i.tude. His eyes sparkled, his breath came lightly, he glowed with that infinite love that bears us along when we experience some unexpected kindness from a fellow-creature. At such a moment, we fancy that our whole future will be like wandering in the fresh mountain air; we are wafted along more than we walk.
When they reached home both parents were within, and had been sitting there in quiet expectation, although it was during working hours of a busy time. The school-master entered first, Oyvind followed; both were smiling.
”Well?” said the father, laying aside a hymn-book, in which he had just been reading a ”Prayer for a Confirmation Candidate.”
His mother stood by the hearth, not daring to say anything; she was smiling, but her hand was trembling. Evidently she was expecting good news, but did not wish to betray herself.
”I merely had to come to gladden you with the news, that he answered every question put to him; and that the priest said, when Oyvind had left him, that he had never had a more apt scholar.”
”Is it possible!” said the mother, much affected.
”Well, that is good,” said his father, clearing his throat unsteadily.
After it had been still for some time, the mother asked, softly,--
”What number will he have?”
”Number nine or ten,” said the school-master, calmly.
The mother looked at the father; he first at her, then at Oyvind, and said,--
”A houseman's son can expect no more.”
Oyvind returned his gaze. Something rose up in his throat once more, but he hastily forced himself to think of things that he loved, one by one, until it was choked down again.
”Now I had better go,” said the school-master, and nodding, turned away.
Both parents followed him as usual out on the door-step; here the school-master took a quid of tobacco, and smiling said,--
”He will be number one, after all; but it is not worth while that he should know anything about it until the day comes.”
”No, no,” said the father, and nodded.
”No, no,” said the mother, and she nodded too; after which she grasped the school-master's hand and added: ”We thank you for all you do for him.”
”Yes, you have our thanks,” said the father, and the school-master moved away.
They long stood there gazing after him.
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