It was dark news for a homecoming.  Isak’s voice was louder than usual as he asked:  “Is she gone?”

“Ay,” said Oline.

“What day was it?”

“The day after you left.”  And Isak knew now that Inger had got him out of the way on purpose—­that was why she had persuaded him to take the money with him.  Oh, but she might have kept a little for herself, for that long journey!

But the children could think of nothing else but the little pig Isak had brought with him.  It was all he had for his trouble; the address he had was out of date, and Geissler was no longer in Sweden, but had returned to Norway and was now in Trondhjem.  As for the pig, Isak had carried it in his arms all the way, feeding it with milk from a bottle, and sleeping with it on his breast among the hills.  He had been looking forward to Inger’s delight when she saw it; now, Eleseus and Sivert played with it, and it was a joy to them.  And Isak, watching them, forgot his trouble for the moment.  Moreover, Oline had a message from the Lensmand; the State had at last given its decision in the matter of the land at Sellanraa.  Isak had only to go down to the office and pay the amount.  This was good news, and served to keep him from the worst depth of despair.  Tired and worn out as he was, he packed up some food in a bag and set off for the village at once.  Maybe he had some little hope of seeing Inger once again before she left there.

But he was disappointed.  Inger was gone—­for eight years.  Isak felt himself in a mist of darkness and emptiness; heard only a word here and there of all the Lensmand said—­a pity such things should happen ... hoped it might be a lesson to her ... reform and be a better woman after, and not kill her children any more!

Lensmand Heyerdahl had married the year before.  His wife had no intention of ever being a mother—­no children for her, thank you!  And she had none.

“And now,” said the Lensmand, “this business about Sellanraa.  At last I am in a position to settle it definitely.  The Department is graciously pleased to approve the sale of the land, more or less according to the terms I suggested.”

“H’m,” said Isak.

“It has been a lengthy business, but I have the satisfaction of knowing that my endeavours have not been altogether fruitless.  The terms I proposed have been agreed to almost without exception.”

“Without exception,” said Isak, and nodded.

“Here are the title-deeds.  You can have the transfer registered at the first session.”

“Ay,” said Isak.  “And how much is there to pay?”

“Ten Daler a year.  The Department has made a slight alteration here—­ten Daler per annum instead of five.  You have no objection to that, I presume?”

“As long as I can manage to pay ...” said Isak.

“And for ten years.”  Isak looked up, half frightened.

“Those are the terms—­the Department insists.  Even then, it’s no price really for all that land, cleared and cultivated as it is now.”