t him he was in a mood to justify any action
which would further his desire.

"Only give not thy thoughts speech, Jan," said Tulloch at parting;
"and above all things, trust not thy plans to a woman. When will thou
tell me 'yes' or 'no'?"

"To-morrow."

But Jan was not the man to hold counsel with his own soul. He wanted
human advice and sympathy, and he felt sure of Snorro. He went
straight to him, but the store was still open, and Peter Fae was
standing in the door, three of his neighbors with him. He looked at
Jan scornfully and asked--"Well, how many swans did thou get?"

"I have been after a purchase, Peter Fae."

"Good. How wilt thou pay for it, then?"

"I will take my own to pay for it."

Peter laughed, and turning away, answered, "Why, then, do I speak to
thee? Only God understands fools."

This conversation irritated Jan far more than many an actual wrong had
done. "I have indeed been a fool," he said to Snorro, "but now I will
look well to what concerns my own interest."

Then he told Michael of Tulloch's offer, and added, "At last, then, I
have the sum of my wife's savings, and I will show her she has been
saving for a good end. What dost thou think, Snorro?"

"I think the money is thine. All thine has been hers, or she had not
saved so much; all hers ought then to be thine. But it is well and
right to tell her of Tulloch's offer to thee. She may like to give
thee as a gift what else thou must take without any pleasure."

Jan laughed; it was an unpleasant laugh, and did not at all brighten
his face, but he resolved to a certain extent on taking Snorro's
advice. It was quite midnight when he reached his home, but Margaret
was sitting by a few red peats knitting. She was weeping, also, and
her tears annoyed him.

"Thou art ever crying like a cross child," he said. "Now what art thou
crying for?"

"For thy love, my husband. If thou would care a little for me!"

"That is also what I say. If thou would care a little for me and for
my well-doing! Listen, now! I have heard where I can buy a good boat
for L600. Wilt thou ask thy father for so much of thy tocher? To have
this boat, Margaret, would make me the happiest man in Shetland. I
know that thou can manage it if thou wilt. Dear wife, do this thing
for me. I ask thee with all my heart." And he bent toward her, took
the knitting away, and held her hands in his own.

Margaret dropped her eyes, and Jan watched her with a painful
interest. Did she