Meanwhile, he thought:  “It was well after all that the pastor happened in to-day; now he can see that I know how to maintain order in my Zion.”

But no sooner was the hymn finished than a man jumped to his feet.  It was proud and dignified Ljung Bjoern Olafsson, who was married to one of the Ingmar girls, and was the owner of a large farmstead in the heart of the parish.

“We down at this end think that the schoolmaster might have consulted our wishes before turning Matts Ericsson down,” he mildly protested.

“Oh, you think so, do you, Sonny?” The schoolmaster spoke in just the kind of tone he would have used in reproving some young whippersnapper.  “Then let me tell you that no one but myself has any say here, in this hall.”

Ljung Bjoern turned blood red.  He had not meant to provoke a quarrel with Storm, but had simply wished to soften the blow for Hoek Matts, who was an inoffensive man.  Just the same, he could not help feeling chagrined over the reply he had got; but before he could think of a retort, one of the men who had come in with Hoek Matts spoke up: 

“Twice I have heard Hoek Matts preach, and must say that he is wonderful.  I believe that every one present would be helped by hearing him.”

The schoolmaster answered pleasantly enough, but in the old admonishing tone of the classroom:  “Surely you understand, Krister Larsson, that I can’t allow this.  Were I to let Hoek Matts preach to-day, then you, Krister, would want to preach next Sunday, and Ljung Bjoern the Sunday after!”

At this several persons laughed; but Ljung Bjoern was ready with a sharp rejoinder:  “I see no reason why Krister and I shouldn’t be as well qualified to preach as the schoolmaster,” he said.

Thereupon Tims Halvor arose and tried to quiet them and to prevent possible strife.  “Those of us who have furnished the money to build and run this mission should be consulted before any new preacher is allowed to speak.”

By that time Krister Larsson had become aroused and was on his feet again.  “I recall to mind that when we built this hall we were all agreed that it should be a free-for-all meetinghouse and not a church where only one man is allowed to preach the Word.”

When Krister had spoken every one seemed to breathe freer.  Only one short hour before it had not occurred to them that they could ever wish to hear any speaker but the schoolmaster.  Now they thought it would be a treat to hear something different.  “We’d like to hear something new and to see a fresh face behind the rostrum,” somebody muttered.

In all likelihood there would have been no further disturbance if only Bullet Gunner had remained away that day.  He, too, was a brother-in-law of Tims Halvor and a tall, gaunt-looking fellow, with a swarthy skin and piercing eyes.  Gunner, as well as every one else, liked the schoolmaster, but what he liked even more was a good scrap.