This left really nothing more to be said about their behaviour, and Hans’s quiet manner made his words sound all the more trustworthy.  Altogether Endrid felt that he was not holding his own against him, and the little confidence he had in himself made him the more desirous to get away.

“We do not know you,” he said, and looked at his wife.  “We must be allowed to think it over.”

“Yes, that will certainly be best,” went on Randi; “we ought to know something about the man we are to give our child to.”

Mildrid felt the offence there was in these words, but looked imploringly at Hans.

“That is true,” answered Hans, beginning to turn his gun under the one hand; “although I don’t believe there are many men in the district much better known than I am.  But perhaps some one has spoken ill of me?” He looked up to them.

Mildrid sat there feeling ashamed on her parents’ account, and they themselves felt that they had perhaps awakened a false suspicion, and this they had no desire to do.  So both said at once: 

“No, we have heard nothing bad of you.”

And the mother hastened to add that it was really the case that they hardly knew anything about him, for they had so seldom asked about the Haugen people.  She meant no harm at all by saying this, and not till the words had passed her lips, did she notice that she had expressed herself unfortunately, and she could see that both her husband and Mildrid felt the same.  It was a little time before the answer came: 

“If the family of Tingvold have never asked after the Haugen people, the fault is not ours; we have been poor people till these last years.”

In these few words lay a reproach that was felt by all three to be deserved, and that thoroughly.  But never till now had it occurred to either husband or wife that they had been in this case neglecting a duty; never till now had they reflected that their poor relations at Haugen should not have been made to suffer for misfortunes of which they had been in no way the cause.  They stole an awkward glance at each other, and sat still, feeling real shame.  Hans had spoken quietly, though Randi’s words must have been very irritating to him.  This made both the old people feel that he was a fine fellow, and that they had two wrongs to make good again.  Thus it came about that Endrid said: 

“Let us take time and think things over; can’t you stay here and have dinner with us?  Then we can talk a little.”

And Randi added:  “Come away here and sit down.”

Both of them rose.

Hans set away the gun with his cap on it, and went forward to the bench on which Mildrid was sitting, whereupon she at once got up, she did not know why.  Her mother said she had things to see to in the kitchen, and went out.  Her father was preparing to go too; but Mildrid did not wish to be alone with Hans as long as her parents withheld their consent, so she went towards the other door, and they presently saw her crossing the yard to her grandmother’s house.  As Endrid could not leave Hans alone, he turned and sat down again.