“Yes, yesterday morning.”

“Who was he?”

“A man who resides in Drammen, and whose name is Sandgoist.”

“Sandgoist?”

“Do you know him?”

“No.”

Hulda had asked herself more than once if she should tell her brother all that had occurred in his absence.  When Joel heard how coolly their guest had conducted himself, and how he seemed to have come merely to appraise the house and its contents, what would he think?  Would not he, too, fear that his mother must have had grave reasons for acting as she had?  What were these reasons?  What could there be in common between her and Sandgoist?  Joel would certainly desire to know, and would be sure to question his mother, and as Dame Hansen, who was always so uncommunicative, would doubtless persist in the silence she had maintained hitherto, the relations between her and her children, which were so unnatural and constrained now, would become still more unpleasant.

But would Hulda be able to keep anything from Joel?  A secret from him!  Would it not be a violation of the close friendship that united them?  No, this friendship must never be broken!  So Hulda suddenly resolved to tell him all.

“Have you ever heard any one speak of this Sandgoist when you were in Drammen?” she asked.

“Never.”

“But our mother knew him, Joel; at least by name.”

“She knew Sandgoist?”

“Yes.”

“I certainly never heard the name before.”

“But she has, though she had never seen the man until day before yesterday.”

Then Hulda related all the incidents that had marked Sandgoist’s sojourn at the inn, not neglecting to mention Dame Hansen’s singular conduct at the moment of his departure.  Then she hastened to add: 

“I think, Joel, it would be best not to say anything to mother about it at present.  You know her disposition, and it would only make her still more unhappy.  The future will probably reveal what has been concealed from us in the past.  Heaven grant that Ole may be restored to us, and then if any misfortune should befall the family there will at least be three of us to share it.”

Joel had listened to his sister with profound attention.  Yes, it was evident that Dame Hansen must be at this man’s mercy, and it was impossible to doubt that he had come to take an inventory of the property.  And the destruction of the bill at the time of his departure—­a destruction that seemed only right and proper to him—­what could be the meaning of that?

“You are right, Hulda,” said Joel.  “I had better not say anything to mother about it.  Perhaps she will feel sorry by and by that she has not confided in us.  Heaven grant that it may not be too late!  She must be wretched, poor woman!  How strange it is that she can not understand that her children were born to sympathize with her.”

“She will find it out some day, Joel.”