There was a pause. "How about the money?" she said, at last. "How will
you buy the place?"
"Your brother has promised to arrange about a loan. But I say again,
Merle--I shall not blame you in the least if you would rather go and
live with your aunt at Bruseth. I fancy she'd be glad to have you, and
the children too."
Again there was silence for a while. Then she said: "If there are two
decent rooms in the cottage, we could be comfortable enough. And as you
say, it would be easier to look after."
Peer waited a little. There was something in his throat that prevented
speech. He understood now that it was to be taken for granted, without
words, that they should not part company. And it took him a little time
to get over the discovery.
Merle sat facing him, but her eyes were turned to the window as before.
She had still the same beautiful dark eyebrows, but her face was faded
and worn, and there were streaks of grey in her hair.
At last he spoke again. "And about the children, Merle."
She started. "The children--what about them?" Had it come at last, the
thing she had gone in fear of so long?
"Aunt Marit has sent word to ask if we will let your brother take Louise
over to stay with her."
"No!" Merle flung out. "No, Peer. Surely you said no at once. Surely you
wouldn't let her go. You know what it means, their wanting to have her
over there."
"I know," he nodded. "But there's another question: in Louise's own
interest, have we any right to say no?"
"Peer," she cried, springing up and wringing her hands, "you mustn't ask
it of me.
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