“Oh! that makes no difference whatever, Mister Sylvius.”

“On the contrary, it does make a great deal of difference.  Do you think that I am going to sit in solitary grandeur at the table, and in my own room, all the time I stay at Dal?  No, I want to take my meals with you and your mother if Dame Hansen has no objections.”

Of course Dame Hansen could but assent when she was apprised of the professor’s request, especially as it would be a great honor to her and hers to have a member of the Storthing at her table.

“It is settled, then, that we are to eat together in the living room,” remarked Sylvius Hogg.

“Yes, Mister Sylvius,” replied Joel.  “I shall only have to wheel you out in your arm-chair when dinner is ready.”

“Indeed, Mister Joel!  Why don’t you propose a kariol?  No; with the aid of a friendly arm, I shall be able to reach the table.  I haven’t had my leg amputated yet, that I am aware of.”

“As you please, Mister Sylvius,” replied Hulda.  “But don’t be guilty of any imprudence, I beg of you, or Joel will have to hurry off in search of a doctor.”

“More threats!  Oh, well, I will be as prudent and docile as possible; provided you do not put me on short allowance, you will find me the most tractable of patient.  Can it be that you are not hungry, my friends?”

“Give us only a quarter of an hour,” replied Hulda; “and we will set before you a nice trout from the Maan, a grouse that Joel shot in the Hardanger yesterday, and a bottle of French wine.”

“Thank you, my dear child, thank you!”

Hulda left the room to superintend the dinner and set the table, while Joel took the kariol back to Lengling’s stable.  Sylvius Hogg was left alone, and his thoughts very naturally reverted to the honest family whose guest and debtor he was.  What could he do to repay Hulda and Joel for the inestimable service they had rendered him?

He had not much time for reflection, however, for scarcely ten minutes had elapsed before he was seated in the place of honor at the family table.  The dinner was excellent.  It corresponded with the reputation of the inn, and the professor ate very heartily.

The rest of the evening was spent in conversation in which Sylvius Hogg took the leading part.  As Dame Hanson found it well-nigh impossible to overcome her habitual reserve, Joel and Hulda were obliged to respond to their genial host’s advances, and the sincere liking the professor had taken to them from the very first naturally increased.

When night came, he returned to his room with the assistance of Joel and Hulda, gave and received a friendly good-night, and had scarcely stretched himself out upon the big bed before he was sound asleep.

The next morning he woke with the sun, and began to review the situation.