One day Halvor stood talking to a group of peasants, telling them the usual story, and at the climax the watch was of course brought out.  As it was being passed from one to the other (he holding the chain) there fell upon all a solemn hush.  In the meantime Elof had come into the shop, but as every one’s attention was riveted upon the watch, no one had remarked his presence.  Elof had also heard the story of his father-in-law’s watch, and knew at once what was going on.  He did not begrudge Halvor his souvenir; he was simply amused at the sight of him and the others standing there looking so solemn over nothing but an old and battered silver watch.

Elof stole quietly up behind the men, reached over, and snatched the watch from Halvor.  It was only meant in fun.  He had no thought of taking the watch only from Halvor; he just wanted to tease him a bit.

When Halvor tried to snatch it again, Elof stepped back and held it up, as if he were holding out a lump of sugar to a dog.  Then Halvor vaulted the counter; and he looked so angry that Elof got frightened and, instead of standing still and handing him back the watch, he ran for the door.

Outside were some badly worn wooden steps; Elof’s foot caught in a hole, and down he went.  Halvor fell upon him, seized the watch, then gave him several hard kicks.

“You’d better quit kicking me, and find out what’s wrong with my back,” said Elof.

Halvor stopped at once, but Elof made no move to raise himself.

“Help me up,” he said.

“You can help yourself when you’ve slept off your jag.”

“I’m not full,” Elof protested.  “The fact is, as I started to run down the stairs I thought I saw Big Ingmar coming toward me, to take the watch.  That’s how I got such an ugly fall.”

Then Halvor bent down and gave the poor wretch a lift, for his back was broken.  He had to be put into a wagon and driven home.  He would never again have the use of his legs.  From that time forth Elof was confined to his bed, a helpless cripple.  But he could talk, and all day long he kept begging for brandy.  The doctor had left strict orders with Karin not to give him any spirits, lest he drink himself to death.  Then Elof tried to get what he wanted by shrieking and making the most hideous noises, especially at night.  He behaved like a madman, and disturbed every one’s rest.

That was Karin’s most trying year.  Her husband sometimes tormented her until it seemed as though she could not stand it any longer.  The very air became polluted by his vile talk and profanity, so that the home was like a hell.  Karin begged the Storms to keep little Ingmar with them also during the holidays; she did not want her brother to be at home with her for a day, not even at Christmas.

All the servants at the Ingmar Farm were distantly related to the family, and had always lived on the place.  But for the feeling that they belonged to the Ingmarssons, they could not have gone on serving under such conditions.  There were precious few nights that they were allowed to sleep in peace.  Elof was constantly hitting upon new ways of tormenting both the servants and Karin, to make them give in to his demands.