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Updated: May 12, 2025
"Do not look fit?" cried his comrade; but before he could say more, Oyvind inquired, "Who is that in the blue broadcloth suit, dancing with Marit?" "That is Jon Hatlen, he who has been away so long at an agricultural school and is now to take the gard." At that moment Marit and Jon sat down. "Who is that boy with light hair sitting yonder by the fiddler, staring at me?" asked Jon.
From Marit it had undoubtedly parted him forever; he regarded her as half engaged to Jon Hatlen; but he had determined to vie with him and her through the entire race of life.
You have never told me how you got rid of Jon Hatlen." "I laughed." "How?" "Laughed. Do not you know what it is to laugh?" "Yes; I can laugh." "Let me see!" "Whoever beard of such a thing! Surely, I must have something to laugh at." "I do not need that when I am happy." "Are you happy now, Marit?" "Pray, am I laughing now?" "Yes; you are, indeed."
Jon Hatlen has made a lampoon about me, and all the boys sing it, and I no longer dare go to the dances. Both the old people know about it, and I have to listen to many harsh words. Now I am sitting alone writing, and you must not show my letter. You have learned much and are able to advise me, but you are now far away.
We two will be clever, Oyvind, just as clever as Jon Hatlen; we shall yet have good clothes, and dance with Marit in a light room, with a hundred people in it; we will smile and talk together; there will be a bride and bridegroom, a priest, and I will be in the choir smiling upon you, and mother will be at home, and there will be a large gard with twenty cows, three horses, and Marit as good and kind as at school."
"Why did you dislike having me look at you?" "There were so many people." "You danced a great deal with Jon Hatlen this evening." "I did." "He dances well." "Do you think so?" "Oh, yes. I do not know how it is, but this evening I could not bear to have you dance with him, Marit." He turned away, it had cost him something to say this. "I do not understand you, Oyvind."
It never seemed quite sure whom it was she was looking for when she was sitting alone and among others, nor what she really had in mind when she turned to speak to any one, for she took back immediately, as it were, what she gave. "Under all this Jon Hatlen is hidden, I suppose," thought Oyvind, but still stared constantly at her. Now came the school-master.
I have read your letter; she thought that she had Jon Hatlen or some other fool to deal with, and not one whom school-master Baard had trained; but now she is in a dilemma. However, you have been too severe, for there are certain women who take to jesting in order to avoid weeping, and who make no difference between the two.
Marit was a full-grown girl, easy and frank in her whole address, and the boys as well as the girls knew that Jon Hatlen, the best match in the parish, was courting her, well might she be happy as she sat there.
I want to go to some place where I can put into practice all I now know, and so I must look for a high position when I get through here. No one here considers Jon Hatlen as clever as he is thought to be at home with us; but as he has a gard of his own, this does not concern any one but himself.
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