Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 5, 2025
Some one might have sent them again; like as not they had a hare in their bag as before; let them go on their way, and no more about it. "A hare? What hare?" "Ho, you haven't heard perhaps what Os-Anders he did that time?" "No." "Well, I don't care who knows it he came up here with a hare, when I was with child." "Dear, and that was a dreadful thing! And what happened?"
Oline took Inger aside, led her out into the larder where she knew all the cheeses were stored, and closed the door. "What is it?" asked Inger. Oline whispered: "Os-Anders, he doesn't dare come here any more. I've told him." "Ho!" said Inger. "I told him if he only dared, after what he'd done to you." "Ay," said Inger. "But he's been here many a time since for all that.
"Why, as to that, thank God, we've enough for our little needs. What do they say at home about me up here?" Os-Anders wags his head helplessly; there's no end to the great things they say; more than he can tell. A pleasant-spoken fellow, like all the Lapps. "If as you'd care for a dish of milk now, you've only to say so," says Inger. "'Tis more than's worth your while.
And even if Oline said nothing, others would speak; dumb witnesses would find a tongue; the walls of the house, the trees around the little grave in the wood. Os-Anders the Lapp would throw out hints; Inger herself would betray it, sleeping or waking. They were prepared for the worst. Isak took the matter sensibly what else was there to do?
Inger asked who had informed against her, but the Lensmand answered that it was no one in particular; many had spoken of the matter, and he had heard of it from several quarters. Had she not herself said something about it to some Lapps? Inger ay, she had told some Lapps about Os-Anders, how he came and brought a hare that summer, and gave her unborn child the hare-lip.
Oline starts up in surprise: "What, you back already!" She is making coffee on the stove. Coffee? Coffee! Isak has noticed the same thing before. When Os-Anders or any of the other Lapps have been there, Oline makes coffee in Inger's little pot for a long time after. She does it while Isak is out in the woods or in the fields, and when he comes in unexpectedly and sees it, she says nothing.
But she was not ill pleased to have Oline on her side; it cost her a cheese, to be sure, but Oline thanked her so fulsomely: "'Tis as I say, 'tis as I've always said: Inger, she gives with both hands; nothing grudging, nothing sparing about her! No, maybe you're not afraid of Os-Anders, but I've forbid him to come here all the same. 'Twas the least I could do for you."
Os-Anders the Lapp, coming by with his dog, brought news that folk in the village had cut their corn already, for fodder. "'Tis a poor look out," said Inger, "when it comes to that." "Ay. But they've the herring. A fine haul, 'tis said. Your Uncle Sivert, he's going to build a country house." "Why, he was none so badly off before." "That's true. And like to be the same with you, for all it seems."
"But I'd like to know what good Os-Anders has ever done to me and mine." "What good?" "Ay, that's what I said." "What good Os-Anders ...?" "Ay, since I'm to give him cheeses in return." Oline has had time to think, and has her answer ready now. "Well, now, I wouldn't have thought it of you, Isak, that I wouldn't. Was it me, pray, that first began with Os-Anders?
"It's all your fault," wails Inger, beginning to cry. "My fault? I wish I may never have more to answer for!" "I'll ask Os-Anders, anyhow, be sure of that." "Ay, do." They talk it all over quietly, and Oline seems less revengeful now.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking