But let by-gones be by-gones; the wind, not the snow, beats down the grain; the rain-brook does not tear up large stones; snow does not lie long on the ground in May; it is not the thunder that kills people." They all four laugh; the school-master says: "Ole means that he does not want you to remember that time any longer; nor you, either, Thore." Ole looks at them, uncertain whether he dare begin again.
Then Thore says,-- "The briar takes hold with many teeth, but causes no wound.

In me there are certainly no thorns left." Ole: "I did not know the boy then.

Now I see that what he sows thrives; the harvest answers to the promise of the spring; there is money in his finger-tips, and I should like to get hold of him." Oyvind looks at the father, he at the mother, she from them to the school-master, and then all three at the latter.
"Ole thinks that he has a large gard"-- Ole breaks in: "A large gard, but badly managed.

I can do no more.

I am old, and my legs refuse to run the errands of my head.