Knut Hamsun

Name: Growth of the Soil — Book One, Chapter XIII
Author: Knut Hamsun

Growth of the Soil — Book One, Chapter XIII (1917)

Summary

“Growth of the Soil — Book One, Chapter XIII”, published in 1917, is a work by Knut Hamsun. It explores elements such as Isak, Eleseus and Inger.

Quotes from Growth of the Soil — Book One, Chapter XIII (Knut Hamsun)

Knut Hamsun, Growth of the Soil — Book One, Chapter XIII (1917)

“ Inger tried once to join him, but Isak turned away: "I'm going up to the river," he said. "Something up there...."
There was trouble in his mind, like enough, but he bore it silently, and made no scene. Oh, there was something great about Isak; as it might be Israel, promised and ever deceived, but still believing.
By Monday the tension was less marked, and as the days went on, the impression of that unhappy Saturday evening grew fainter. Time can mend a deal of things; a spit and a shake, a meal and a good night's rest, and it will heal the sorriest of wounds. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Knut Hamsun, Growth of the Soil — Book One, Chapter XIII (1917)

“ As he went out from the barn and over to the mill, away from the yard, away from everything, there was no Inger to be seen in the window of the house. Nay, then, let her be where she pleased — no doubt she was in bed — where else should she be? But in the old days, in those first innocent years, Inger could never rest, but sat up at nights waiting for him when he had been down to the village. It was different now, different in every way. As, for instance, when he had given her that ring. Could anything have been more utterly a failure? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Knut Hamsun, Growth of the Soil — Book One, Chapter XIII (1917)

“ Isak went out into the yard and stood over the bundle. He was still in doubt; he thrust his hat back and scratched his head, which gave him a devil-may-care appearance for the moment; something lordly and careless, as it might have been a Spaniard. But then he must have thought something like this: "Nay, here am I, and far from being in any way splendid or excellent; a very dog." And then he tied up the bundle neatly once more, picked up the cap, and carried all back into the barn again. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Knut Hamsun, Growth of the Soil — Book One, Chapter XIII (1917)

“ But down in the village things were different. The school was full of ski; even the children at Breidablik, it seemed, had each a pair. And the end of it was that Isak had to make a new pair for Eleseus, Sivert keeping the old pair for his own.
Isak did more; he had the boys well clad, and gave them everlasting boots. But when that was done, Isak went to the storekeeper and asked for a ring.
"A ring?" said the man.
"A finger ring. Ay, I've grown that high and mighty now I must give my wife a ring."
"Do you want a silver one, or gold, or just a brass ring dipped to look like gold?" ”

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Source: Wikisource

Knut Hamsun, Growth of the Soil — Book One, Chapter XIII (1917)

“ Inger — who could say what was in her mind? Here she was dancing gaily, maybe for the first time in her life; sought after, riotously pursued by thirty men, and she alone, the only one to choose from, no one to cut her out. And those burly telegraph men — how they lifted her! Why not dance? Eleseus and Sivert were fast asleep in the little chamber, undisturbed by all the noise outside; little Leopoldine was up, looking on wonderingly at her mother as she danced.
Isak was out in the fields all the time ”

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Source: Wikisource

Knut Hamsun, Growth of the Soil — Book One, Chapter XIII (1917)

“ And Inger poured it out.
Inger talked of the engineer; a kindly man he was beyond measure; had looked at the boys' drawings and writings, and even said something about taking Eleseus to work under him.
"To work with him?" said Isak.
"Ay, to the town. To do writing and things, be a clerk in the office — all for he was so pleased with the boy's writing and drawing."
"Ho!" said Isak.
"Well, and what do you say? He was going to have him confirmed too. That was a great thing, to my mind."
"Ay, a great thing indeed," said Brede. "And when the engineer says he'll do a thing, he'll do it. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Knut Hamsun, Growth of the Soil — Book One, Chapter XIII (1917)

“ For several winters past they had had a pair of ski between them; they managed well enough that way as long as they were at home, one waiting while the other took his turn, or one standing on behind the other. ”

Knut Hamsun

Summary

Quotes from Growth of the Soil — Book One, Chapter XIII (Knut Hamsun)

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