"Good heavens! how old he has grown!" thought Uthoug to
himself. But aloud he said, "Well, you do look fit. I'd hardly have
known you again."
Merle caught sight of the pair from the kitchen window. "Why, I do
believe--" she exclaimed, and came running out. It was so long since she
had seen any of her people, that she forgot her dignity and in a moment
had her arms round her brother's neck, hugging him.
No, certainly Uthoug junior had not come with lamentations and
condolences. He had a bottle of good wine in his bag, and at supper he
filled the glasses and drank with them both, and talked about theatres
and variety shows, and gave imitations of well-known actors, till he had
set the two poor harassed creatures laughing. They must need a little
joy and laughter--ah! well he knew how they must need it.
But he knew, too, that Merle and Peer were on tenterhooks waiting to
know what the family had decided about their future. The days of their
life here had been evil and sad, but they only hoped now that they might
be able to stay on. If the help they had received up to now were taken
from them, they could neither afford to stay here nor to go elsewhere.
What then could they do? No wonder they were anxious as they sat there.
After supper he went out for a stroll with Peer, while Merle waited at
home in suspense. She understood that their fate was being settled as
she waited.
At last they returned--and to her astonishment they came in laughing.
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