doorway, as if he did not quite remember him, and then asked Barbara
over his shoulder, with a nod at Nikolai: "Is that the fellow?" and went
out:

"What's he been doing here, mother?"

"Nothing."

"Have you been borrowing money of him?" he continued sharply.

"Of course not. Not a penny, though I do need it so badly."

"What was he talking about?"

"He wanted to light his cigar, as he so often does when he goes down
this way. Surely that can't do you any harm! And it wouldn't be much
good forbidding him to do it either, I should think--either for me or
for you!" She added the last words red with anger.

"No, I certainly can't forbid him, mother. But remember, if you borrow
of him, everything is at an end between us!"

"Oh, Nikolai, you are so quick-tempered. No, of course not; I shouldn't
think of borrowing!" As she spoke she turned round and pushed something
she had in her hand into her bosom. "No, of course not!"

"I could hear he had been talking about me."

"No, indeed, how could you think so?"

"Yes he was, mother," he persisted, gloomily.

"About you? Oh, well, I was telling him a little about how hard you were
working now to get together those few shillings for Mrs. Holman."
Barbara talked rather confusedly.

"And perhaps about Silla, too?" he asked searchingly.

"Oh, no! he knew all about that before. I'm not the only one who knows
about it in this gossiping place, and, upon my honour, Nikolai, it
didn't come from me--not to-day," she added.

"I wouldn't have minded if you had said it then; it would be a good
thing for that fellow to know that she is an engaged girl."

"Isn't that just what I said? Only he didn't believe it."

"No, I dare say not!" Nikolai stood at the window reflecting. This visit
of Veyergang's!

He had enough noise and worry just now down at the smithy. It was just a
question whether he should not be made a foreman. Old Mrs. Ellingsen had
sent for him several times on this account, and it looked as if it were
almost settled.

Things had been in this condition for some time; there was no great need
of hurry in coming to a determination, as the situation was not to be
filled until the autumn.

Lately, however, it had seemed to Nikolai that Mrs. Ellingsen was
behaving rather strangely. He noticed, too, that they were talking and
making a great deal of fuss in the smithy; but it did not strike him
that it might be Mrs. Ellingsen's intention to draw back, until one day
w