“How much?” said Isak.

“She doesn’t say exactly in the letter.  But it must be something altogether different from what folk pay down here, that’s plain.  Why, she gets Christmas presents, and presents other times as well, and not counted off her wages at all.”

“Ho!” said Isak.

“You wouldn’t like to have her up at your place?” asked Brede.

“I?” said Isak, all taken aback.

“No, of course, he he!  It was only a way of speaking.  Barbro’s well enough where she is.  What was I going to say?  You didn’t notice anything wrong with the line coming down—­the telegraph, what?”

“With the telegraph?  No.”

“No, no ...  There’s not much wrong with it now since I took over.  And then I’ve my own machine here on the wall to give a warning if anything happens.  I’ll have to take a walk up along the line one of these days and see how things are.  I’ve too much to manage and look after, ’tis more than one man’s work.  But as long as I’m Inspector here, and hold an official position, of course I can’t neglect my duties.  If I hadn’t the telegraph, of course ... and it may not be for long....”

“Why?” said Isak.  “You thinking of giving it up, maybe?”

“Well, I can’t say exactly,” said Brede.  “I haven’t quite decided.  They want me to move down into the village again.”

“Who is it wants you?” asked Isak.

“Oh, all of them.  The Lensmand wants me to go and be assistant there again, and the doctor wants me to drive for him, and the parson’s wife said more than once she misses me to lend a hand, if it wasn’t such a long way to go.  How was it with that strip of hill, Isak—­the bit you sold?  Did you get as much for it as they say?”

“Ay, ’tis no lie,” answered Isak.

“But what did Geissler want with it, anyway?  It lies there still—­curious thing!  Year after year and nothing done.”

It was a curious thing; Isak had often wondered about it himself; he had spoken to the Lensmand about it, and asked for Geissler’s address, thinking to write to him ...  Ay, it was a mystery.

“’Tis more than I can say,” said Isak.

Brede made no secret of his interest in this matter of the sale.  “They say there’s more of the same sort up there,” he said, “besides yours.  Maybe there’s more in it than we know.  ’Tis a pity that we should sit here like dumb beasts and know nothing of it all.  I’ve thought of going up one day myself to have a look.”

“But do you know anything about metals and such-like?” asked Isak.

“Why, I know a bit.  And I’ve asked one or two others.  Anyhow, I’ll have to find something; I can’t live and keep us all here on this bit of a farm.  It’s sheer impossible.  ’Twas another matter with you that’s got all that timber and good soil below.  ’Tis naught but moorland here.”

“Moorland’s good soil enough,” said Isak shortly.  “I’ve the same myself.”