Knut Hamsun

“ They talk for a while companionably; Inger is no longer harsh. The clock on the wall strikes with its sweet little note. Oline looks up with tears in her eyes; never in all her humble life did she hear such a thing — 'tis like church and organ music, says Oline. Inger feels herself rich and generous-minded towards her poor relation, and says: "Come into the next room and see my loom."
Oline stays all day. She talks to Isak, and praises all his doings. "And I hear you've bought up the land for miles on every side. ”

“ Isak gathers stones and fills up the dangerous cleft; a wicked place; it shall break no more sheep's thighs! Isak wears leather braces; he takes them off now and fastens them round the sheep's middle, as a support for the udder. Then, lifting the animal on his shoulders, he sets off home, the lamb at his heels.
After that — splints and tar bandages. In a few days' time the patient begins twitching the foot of the wounded leg; it is the fracture aching as it grows together. Ay, all things getting well again — until next time something happens. ”

“ With all these fields and meadow lands, fine and full of growth; ay, and full of milk and honey, as the Bible says."
Isak asks: "How's things looking your way — crops and the like?"
"Why, 'tis there as it is till now. If only the Lord don't set fire to it all again this year, and burn up the lot — Heaven forgive me I should say the word. 'Tis all in His hand and almighty power. But we've nothing our parts that's any way like this place of yours to compare, and that's the solemn truth." ”

“ Oline is hard, and will not give in; Inger is forced to give over the blows that are exhausting her own strength. But she threatens still — glares into the other's eyes and swears she has not finished with her yet. ”

“ All share the feeling; what has happened is a matter for the whole little community. Even the cows know that something unusual is going on, and give tongue in their own fashion, for Inger goes out every now and then, calling aloud towards the woods, though it is near night. It is an event in the wilderness, a general misfortune. Now and again she gives a long-drawn hail to Isak, but there is no answer ”

“ Inger asks after other relatives, her Uncle Sivert in particular. He is the great man of the family, and owns rich fisheries; 'tis almost a wonder how he can find a way to spend all he has. The women talk of Uncle Sivert, and Isak and his doings somehow drop out of sight; no one asks any more about his building now, so at last he says:
"Well, if you want to know, 'tis a bit of a barn with a threshing-floor I'm trying to get set up."
"Just as I thought," says Oline. "Folk with real sound sense in their heads, they do that way. ”

“ The big bull is to be sent away. It has grown to an enormous beast, and costs too much to feed; Isak is taking it down to the village, to bring up a suitable yearling in exchange.
It was Inger's idea. And Inger had no doubt her own reasons for getting Isak out of the place on that particular day.
"If you are going at all, you'd better go today," she said. "The bull's in fine condition; 'twill fetch a good price at this time of year. You take him down to the village, and they'll send him to be sold in town — townsfolk pay anything for their meat." ”

“ He tramps off — there is an endless range of ground to be searched; and, meanwhile, the house is all anxiety. Mother hushes the children with brief words; there are two sheep missing, and they must be good. ”