Summary

Maren has the pelts prepared but hesitates to visit the Corents. She obsesses over Ursa; her dress, her scent, her hands, and compares the woman’s beauty to her own poor clothes, smell, and calloused hands. On the Sabbath, the rain stops and Maren and Mamma head to Kirke, passing by the second boathouse, and Maren tries to look inside. As they head to the entrance of the kirke, Maren sees the women gossiping about Cornet and his wife. All they know for certain is how religious the commissioner is, and how quiet his wife is by comparison.

Following the service and sermon, the entire congregation awaits Cornet to speak. He stands up at the pulpit and begins to speak in English, directing the Pastor to translate. He announces that he has come to be the eyes and ears not only of the...