thou tormented thy husband."

That was a needlessly cruel taunt, and Peter was ashamed of it as soon
as uttered. But all the same he turned away in anger, and two men
coming in at the moment, he went with them to the other end of the
store.

Snorro had held "little Jan" during the interview. The fresh air and
the heat had overpowered the child, and he had fallen asleep. He lay
in Snorro's arms, a beautiful, innocent miniature of the man he loved
so dearly. Watching the sleeping face, he had seemed unconscious of
what passed between Peter and his daughter, but in reality he had
heard every word. When Peter turned away he watched Margaret put on
her baby's cap and coat, and then as she rose with it folded in her
arms, he said, "Let me see him again."

"Kiss him, Snorro, for thou loved his father."

He stooped and kissed the boy, and then glanced into Margaret's face.
Her tears, her pallor, her air of hopeless suffering went straight to
his heart. After all she was Jan's wife. He felt a great pity for her,
and perhaps Margaret divined it, for she said timidly, "Snorro, can
thou mend the windows in the old house--the house where I lived with
Jan?"

"Yes, I can."

"Wilt thou ask my father if thou may do it?"

"I will do it. Have thou patience, Margaret Vedder. It would be a sin
if thou made the child suffer."

"Dost thou think I would? Little does thou know of a mother's heart."

"Snorro!"

It was Peter calling, and calling angrily; but ere Snorro answered the
summons he went with Margaret to the door, and as he opened it, said,
"If I can help thee, for Jan's sake I am on thy side."

Very hard and bitter and cold was the walk homeward. The snow fell
thick and fast, and she was tired and faint when she reached the
house. Never had its warmth and comfort seemed so good to her. How
could she feel kindly to the woman who had robbed her and her child of
their right in it? Every one must have noticed that when they are in
trouble, the weather is usually their enemy. A very long and severe
snow-storm followed Margaret's useless effort. She had perforce to sit
still, and for "little Jan's" sake be grateful for the warmth and
shelter given her.

"_Little Jan_" Snorro had unconsciously named the child. Several
attempts had been made to do so, but somehow all had hitherto failed.
At first "Peter" had been thought of; but Peter Fae had not taken
kindly to a Peter Vedder, and the name after a few half-hearted
utterances