The things we do!

I liked the place, I said, and he'd need of
help; I could turn my hand to anything now in the busy time.
"You're a fool," said he, "and the sooner you're off the place the better
I'll be pleased."
Clearly he had taken a dislike to me, and there was none of the womenfolk
at hand to take my part. I looked at the man, at a loss to understand what
was in his mind.
His glance was steady; it struck me suddenly that I had never seen such
wisdom in the eyes of man or woman. But he carried his ill-will too far,
and made a false step. He asked: "What shall we say your name was?" "No
need to say anything at all," I answered. "A wandering Eilert Sundt?" he
suggested. And I entered into the jest and answered: "Yes, why not?" But
at that he fired up and snapped out sharply: "Then I'm sorry for Fru
Sundt, that's all." I shrugged my shoulders in return, and said: "You're
wrong there, my good man; I am not married." And I turned to go. But with
an unnatural readiness he called after me: "'Tis you that's wrong: I meant
for the mother that bore you.


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