ilver--a luxury highly prized among Norwegian peasants, where the
few forks and spoons which are handed down from father to son are
carefully preserved with the family jewels.

Meanwhile the _skydskarl_ busied himself with his preparations for
departure; and by eleven o'clock the horse and kariol were standing
before the door of the inn.

The weather was still threatening; the sky was dull and overcast, and
now and then big drops of rain dashed against the window-panes; but
this traveler with his heavy cloak lined with sheep-skin was not a man
to worry about the weather.

Breakfast over, he called for one more glass of brandy, lighted his
pipe, and put on his coat, then stepping out into the hall he called
for his bill.

"I will make it out immediately," replied Hulda, seating herself at a
small desk.

"Be quick about it," said the traveler. "And now," he added, "you had
better bring me your book so I can write my name in it."

Dame Hansen rose and left the room to get the register, which, on her
return, she placed upon the large table.

The stranger picked up a pen and took one more long look at Dame
Hansen over his spectacles; then he wrote his name in a large, round
hand, and closed the book.

Just at that moment Hulda handed him his bill. He took it, examined
each item separately, and then proceeded to add up the figures,
grumbling all the while.

"Hum!" he exclaimed. "This is very dear! Seven marks and a half for a
night's lodging and two meals!"

"You forget the _skydskarl_ and the horse," remarked Hulda.

"Nevertheless, I think your charge very high. I really don't see how
you can expect to prosper if you are so exorbitant in your charges."

"You owe me nothing, sir," said Dame Hansen, in a voice that trembled
so that it was scarcely audible.

She had just opened the register and read the name inscribed upon it,
and now taking the bill and tearing it up, she repeated:

"You owe me nothing."

"That is exactly my opinion,'" replied the stranger.

And without bidding them good-bye on his departure any more than he
had bidden them good-day on his arrival, he climbed into his kariol,
and the _skydskarl_ jumped upon the board behind him. A few seconds
later he had disappeared around a turn in the road. When Hulda opened
the book she found there only this name--

"Sandgoist, from Drammen."

CHAPTER VII.

It was on the afternoon of the following day that Joel was to return
home; and Huld