'I do not blame him for it. She lives in the house with him, while
I live elsewhere. It was natural that she should be more to him
than I am, after he had sent me away. But he has no right to
suppose that I can have the same feeling that he has about this
marriage. I cannot think it the finest thing in the world for all
of us that Marie Bromar should succeed in getting a rich young man
for her husband, who, as far as I can see, never had two ideas in
his head.'

'He is a most industrious young man, who thoroughly understands his
business. I have heard people say that there is no one comes to
Granpere who can buy better than he can.'

'Very likely not.'

'And at any rate, it is no disgrace to be well off.'

'It is a disgrace to think more about that than anything else. But
never mind. It is no use talking about it, words won't mend it.'

'Why then have you come here now?'

'Because I want to see my father.' Then he remembered how false was
this excuse; and remembered also how soon its falseness would
appear. 'Besides, though I do not like this match, I wish to see
Marie once again before her marriage. I shall never see her after
it. That is the reason why I have come. I suppose you can give me
a bed.'

'O, yes, there are beds enough.' After that there was some pause,