And there is no use starting a joint-stock company to exploit a new
machine when there is a better machine in the field.
The steel had seized on Peer, and used him as a springboard. But the
reward was destined for another.
Chapter V
Herr Uthoug Junior, Agent for English tweeds, stepped out of the train
one warm day in July, and stood for a moment on the station platform
looking about him. Magnificent scenery, certainly. And this beautiful
valley was where his sister had been living for more than a year.
Splendid air--and yet somehow it didn't seem to have done his
brother-in-law much good. Well, well! And the neatly dressed young
gentleman set off on foot towards Raastad, asking his way from time
to time. He wanted to take them by surprise. There had been a family
council at Ringeby, and they had agreed that some definite arrangement
must be made for the future of the sister and her husband, with whom
things had gone so hopelessly wrong.
As he turned up the by-road that led to the farm, he was aware of a
man in his shirt-sleeves, wheeling a barrow full of stones. What? He
thought--could he be mistaken? No--sure enough it was Peer Holm--Peer
Holm, loading up stones and wheeling them down the hill as zealously as
if he were paid for every step.
The Agent was not the man for lamentations or condolences. "Hullo!" he
cried. "Hard at it, aren't you? You've taken to farming, I see."
Peer stood up straight, wiped his hands on his trousers, and came
towards him.
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