have jested at all, for you understood me very well, and you could see that I did not ask in sport, but because of late I can think of nothing else than the subject I questioned you about.  I was waiting in deep anxiety, and there came to me only foolery and laughter. 
     Farewell, Marit Heidegards, I shall not look at you too much, as I
did at that dance.  May you both eat well, and sleep well, and get your new web finished, and above all, may you be able to shovel away the snow which lies in front of the church-door. 
          Most respectfully,
               OYVIND THORESEN PLADSEN.

TO THE AGRICULTURIST, OYVIND THORESEN, AT THE AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL:—­
     Notwithstanding my advanced years, and the weakness of my eyes,
and the pain in my right hip, I must yield to the importunity of the young, for we old people are needed by them when they have caught themselves in some snare.  They entice us and weep until they are set free, but then at once run away from us again, and will take no further advice. 
     Now it is Marit; she coaxes me with many sweet words to write at
the same time she does, for she takes comfort in not writing alone.  I have read your letter; she thought that she had Jon Hatlen or some other fool to deal with, and not one whom school-master Baard had trained; but now she is in a dilemma.  However, you have been too severe, for there are certain women who take to jesting in order to avoid weeping, and who make no difference between the two.  But it pleases me to have you take serious things seriously, for otherwise you could not laugh at nonsense. 
     Concerning the feelings of both, it is now apparent from many
things that you are bent on having each other.  About Marit I have often been in doubt, for she is like the wind’s course; but I have now learned that notwithstanding this she has resisted Jon Hatlen’s advances, at which her grandfather’s wrath is sorely kindled.  She was happy when your offer came, and if she jested it was from joy, not from any harm.  She has endured much, and has done so in order to wait for him on whom her mind was fixed.  And now you will not have her, but cast her away as you would a naughty child. 
     This was what I wanted to tell you.  And this counsel I must add,
that you should come to an understanding with her, for you can find enough else to be at variance with.  I am like the old man who has lived through three generations; I have seen folly and its course. 
     Your mother and father send love by me.  They are expecting you
home; but I would not write of this before, lest you should become homesick.  You do not know your father; he is like a tree which makes no moan until it is hewn down.  But if ever any mischance should befall you, then you will learn to know him, and you will wonder at the richness of his nature.  He has had heavy burdens to bear, and is silent in worldly matters; but your mother has relieved his mind from earthly anxiety, and now daylight is beginning to break through the gloom. 
     Now my eyes grow dim, my hand refuses to do more.  Therefore I
commend you to Him whose eye ever watches, and whose hand is never weary. 
               BAARD ANDERSEN OPDAL.