He has looked over the
visitors' horses, and chosen Elisabet's. Good country-breds, heavy in the
leg.
II
More visitors arrive, and the house-party goes on. We farm-hands are busy
measuring, ploughing, and sowing; some of the fields are sprouting green
already after our work--a joy to see.
But we've difficulties here and there, and that with Captain Falkenberg
himself. "He's lost all thought and care for his own good," says Nils. And
indeed an evil spirit must have got hold of him; he was half-drunk most of
the time, and seemed to think of little else beyond playing the genial
host. For nearly a week past, he and his guests had played upside down
with day and night. But what with the noise and rioting after dark the
beasts in stable and shed could get no rest; the maids, too, were kept up
at all hours, and, what was more, the young gentlemen would come over to
their quarters at night and sit on their beds talking, just to see them
undressed.
We working hands had no part in this, of course, but many a time we felt
shamed instead of proud to work on Captain Falkenberg's estate.
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