“You are the only friend I have.”

Although to hear these words had cost the house, no matter, they made her happy; she gathered courage and said, rising and looking submissively at him: 

“That is because no one else understands you.”

Now again they talked of all that had transpired, or rather he remained silent, while she told about it.  Canute Aakre had been first to perceive the fire, had awakened his people, sent the girls out through the parish, while he himself hastened with men and horses to the spot where all were sleeping.  He had taken charge of extinguishing the fire and saving the property; Lars himself he had dragged from the burning room and brought him here on the left, to the windward,—­here, out on the churchyard.

While they were talking of all this, some one came driving rapidly up the road and turned off toward them; soon he alighted.  It was Canute, who had been home after his church-wagon; the one in which so many times they had ridden together to and from the parish meetings.  Now Lars must get in and ride home with him.  They took each other by the hand, one sitting, the other standing.

“You must come with me now,” said Canute, Without reply Lars rose:  they walked side by side to the wagon.  Lars was helped in:  Canute seated himself by his side.  What they talked about as they rode, or afterward in the little chamber at Aakre, in which they remained until morning, has never been known; but from that day they were again inseparable.

As soon as disaster befalls a man, all seem to understand his worth.  So the parish took upon themselves to rebuild Lars Hogstad’s houses, larger and handsomer than any others in the valley.  Again he became chairman, but with Canute Aakre at his side, and from that day all went well.

TWO FRIENDS

BY

ALEXANDER KIELLAND

From “Tales of Two Countries.”  Translated by H. H. Boyesen.

TWO FRIENDS

BY

ALEXANDER KIELLAND

No one could understand where he got his money from.  But the person who marvelled most at the dashing and luxurious life led by Alphonse was his quondam friend and partner.

After they dissolved partnership, most of the custom and the best connection passed by degrees into Charles’s hands.  This was not because he in any way sought to run counter to his former partner; on the contrary, it arose simply from the fact that Charles was the more capable man of the two.  And as Alphonse had now to work on his own account, it was soon clear to any one who observed him closely, that in spite of his promptitude, his amiability, and his prepossessing appearance, he was not fitted to be at the head of an independent business.