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There were many of us at table now, and the talk was lively. When Schoolmaster Staur was asked if he wanted more soup, he replied: "No, thank you; I require no more!" and then rolled his eyes at us to show that this was the correct thing to say. Between meals we made up small parties, going this way and that on the sides of the fjeld and in the woods.
Yes, indeed, he had learned a great deal at school. "Here you see an Artemis cotula," he said. Miss Torsen, who had also imbibed much learning, recognized the name and said: "Yes, take plenty of it with you." "What for?" "It's insect powder." Schoolmaster Staur knew nothing of that, and there was a good deal of discussion in which Associate Master Hoey had to take a hand.
Then came Miss Torsen and Mrs. Molie, who were both to stay for the summer. They were followed by Schoolmaster Staur, who would stay a week. Later came two schoolmistresses, the Misses Johnsen and Palm, and still later Associate Schoolmaster Hoey and several others tradesmen, telephone operators, a few people from Bergen, one or two Danes.
No, Schoolmaster Staur knew nothing of that. But he could classify plants and learn their names by heart. He enjoyed that. The peasant children in his neighborhood were ignorant of these classes and names, and he could teach them. He enjoyed that so much. But was the spirit of the soil his friend?
"Well, what about Norwegian old-milk cheese?" said a Danish voice mildly. "Yes, that's filthy stuff, too," Mr. Hoey replied. "Just the thing for Schoolmaster Staur pontificating in his armchair." Laughter. Since matters were now smoothed over again, the lawyer could safely continue: "If we could only make such Swiss cheese here," he said, "we should not be so poor.
The caravan paid the exact amount of their small bill and departed, accompanied by the master and Solem, both carrying trunks. Peace descended on us again. Schoolmaster Staur left now, too. He had been busy collecting plants round the Tore peaks, and talked about his plants at table in a very learned fashion, giving the Latin names, and pointing out their peculiarities.
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