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Updated: May 19, 2025
When all was still again, there sounded close at hand, as thin and clear as the peep of a bird, "Ho-i-ho!" This was from Lisbeth, who, when she heard that they were going to take her flock away, felt that she ought to call out, although it was extremely embarrassing. The boys stopped short, greatly astonished.
Well, they would take his animals with them and go there themselves; but first they would give another call. Perhaps he was not so far away but that he might hear if they gave a good loud one. "Ho-i-ho!" From far away echo repeated the sounds in "dwarf language," as the Norwegian boys call it.
At sight of them Lisbeth felt so shy that she kneeled down and hid herself behind a bushy little mound. The boys shaded their eyes with their hands and looked down from the hilltop. "Ho-i-ho!" they called, and then listened. "Ho-i-ho!" No answer. All was still. Then one of the boys cried out: Oh, ho! you boy from Hoel, don't you hear? If you have pluck, we call you to appear!
She suddenly felt herself so utterly alone and remote and had such a longing to caress some living creature that she went among the flock and petted now this one and now that. The bell goat became so envious that it butted the others out of the way and stood rubbing itself against her. All at once there came a call, "Ho-i-ho! ho-i-ho!" so loud and clear that the mountains echoed with it.
Then they started into activity again, snatched up their clothes, put them on in great haste, and started off on a run toward the opposite edge of the marsh. Every little while they would stop and listen, and then run on again. They were so far off that there was no use in Lisbeth's shouting to them or trying to give the call "Ho-i-ho!"
As they neared it Lisbeth thought that now was the time to give the herder's call, for the flocks were on the other side of the hill and their bells could not be heard by the boys. Her first call was too weak. She gave another somewhat stronger. The boys stopped and answered. Lisbeth called again, "Ho-i-ho!" and then the boys came up the hill. They found it a little difficult to break the silence.
The goats pricked up their ears, and Lisbeth, too, listened breathlessly. The call was so unexpected that she had not distinguished from what quarter it came. It sounded near, and yet, because of the echoes, from all directions. "Ho-i-ho! ho-i-ho!" This time the call was still louder.
They stood awhile, watching. Then they darted forward, turned two or three somersaults, and ran down the hill toward her, repeating their call and shouting. Again they stopped and listened, as if uncertain. "Ho-i-ho!" Again they challenged: If you lie hid behind some bush or stone, Come out and show there's marrow in your bone!
Then the second boy said to the larger one, "Yes, but Jacob is so strong that he will get the best of you." "Not when I have brought myself into good training. Hoi!" and he turned a handspring. "Now you know what Jacob may expect, so take care what you do! We boys are going up to the Sloping Marsh to bathe. Ho-i-ho!" With shout and call they took their way up over the hill again.
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