n she
realized the meaning of Suneva's questions. The sudden storm ended in
the lull which follows recrimination. Suneva sat fuming and muttering
to herself; Margaret, in her room, paced up and down, the very image
of despairing shame and sorrow. When her father returned she knew
Suneva would tell him all that had transpired. To face them both was a
trial beyond her strength. She looked at her child softly sobbing on
the bed beside her, and her heart melted at the injustice she had done
him. But she felt that she must take him away from Suneva, or he would
be stolen from her; worse than stolen, he would be made to regard her
as a terror and a tyrant.

She heard the clatter of the tea-cups and the hum of conversation, and
knew that her father was at home. As soon as he had finished his tea,
she would probably be summoned to his presence. It had grown dark and
a rain-storm was coming; nevertheless she dressed herself and little
Jan, and quietly went out of the house. Peter and Suneva were
discussing the quarrel over their tea; the servants sat spinning by
the kitchen fire, doing the same. She only glanced at them, and then
she hastened toward the town as fast as she could.

Snorro was sitting at the store-fire, a little pot of tea, a barley
cake, and a broiled herring by his side. He was thinking of Jan, and
lo! a knock at the door--just such a knock as Jan always gave. His
heart bounded with hope; before he thought of possibilities he had
opened it. Not Jan, but Jan's wife and child, and both of them
weeping. He said not a word, but he took Margaret's hand and led her
to the fire. Her cloak and hood were dripping with the rain, and he
removed and shook them. Then he lifted the child in his arms and gave
him some tea, and soon soothed his trouble and dried his tears.

Margaret sobbed and wept with a passion that alarmed him. He had
thought at first that he would not interfere, but his tender heart
could not long endure such evident distress without an effort to give
comfort.

"What is the matter with thee, Margaret Vedder? and why art thou and
thy child here?"

"We have nowhere else to go to-night, Snorro." Then Margaret told him
every thing.

He listened in silence, making no comments, asking no questions, until
she finished in another burst of anguish, as she told him of Suneva's
accusation. Then he said gravely: "It is a shame. Drink this cup of
tea, and then we will go to the minister. He only can guide the bo