"
"I know it," said Isak, looking straight at her. "I've seen that sheep
before."
He walks up with Axel Stroem on the way back, leading his sheep on a
string. Axel is taciturn, seemingly anxious about something, whatever
it might be. There's nothing he need be troubled about that one can
see, thinks Isak; his crops are looking well, most of his fodder is
housed already, and he has begun timbering his house. All as it should
be with Axel Stroem; a thought slowly, but sure in the end. And now he
had got a horse.
"So you've bought Brede's place?" said Isak. "Going to work it
yourself?"
"No, not for myself. I bought it for another man."
"Ho!"
"What d'you think; was it too much I gave for it?"
"Why, no. Tis good land for a man that'll work it as it should."
"I bought it for a brother of mine up in Helgeland."
"Ho!"
"Then I thought perhaps I'd half a mind to change with him, too."
"Change with him--would you?"
"And perhaps how Barbro she'd like it better that way."
"Ay, maybe," said Isak.
They walk on for a good way in silence.
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