“He will be number one, after all; but it is not worth while that he should know anything about it until the day comes.”

“No, no,” said the father, and nodded.

“No, no,” said the mother, and she nodded too; after which she grasped the school-master’s hand and added:  “We thank you for all you do for him.”

“Yes, you have our thanks,” said the father, and the school-master moved away.

They long stood there gazing after him.

CHAPTER VII.

The school-master had judged the boy correctly when he asked the priest to try whether Oyvind could bear to stand number one.  During the three weeks which elapsed before the confirmation, he was with the boy every day.  It is one thing for a young, tender soul to yield to an impression; what through faith it shall attain is another thing.  Many dark hours fell upon Oyvind before he learned to choose the goal of his future from something better than ambition and defiance.  Often in the midst of his work he lost his interest and stopped short:  what was it all for, what would he gain by it?—­and then presently he would remember the school-master, his words and his kindness; and this human medium forced him to rise up again every time he fell from a comprehension of his higher duty.

In those days while they were preparing at Pladsen for the confirmation, they were also preparing for Oyvind’s departure for the agricultural school, for this was to take place the following day.  Tailor and shoemaker were sitting in the family-room; the mother was baking in the kitchen, the father working at a chest.  There was a great deal said about what Oyvind would cost his parents in the next two years; about his not being able to come home the first Christmas, perhaps not the second either, and how hard it would be to be parted so long.  They spoke also of the love Oyvind should bear his parents who were willing to sacrifice themselves for their child’s sake.  Oyvind sat like one who had tried sailing out into the world on his own responsibility, but had been wrecked and was now picked up by kind people.

Such is the feeling that humility gives, and with it comes much more.  As the great day drew near he dared call himself prepared, and also dared look forward with trustful resignation.  Whenever Marit’s image would present itself, he cautiously thrust it aside, although he felt a pang in so doing.  He tried to gain practice in this, but never made any progress in strength; on the contrary, it was the pain that grew.  Therefore he was weary the last evening, when, after a long self-examination, he prayed that the Lord would not put him to the test in this matter.

The school-master came as the day was drawing to a close.  They all sat down together in the family-room, after washing and dressing themselves neat and clean, as was customary the evening before going to communion, or morning service.  The mother was agitated, the father silent; parting was to follow the morrow’s ceremony, and it was uncertain when they could all sit down together again.  The school-master brought out the hymn-books, read the service, sang with the family, and afterwards said a short prayer, just as the words came into his mind.