May you both eat well, and sleep well, and get your new web finished, and above all, may you be able to shovel away the snow which lies in front of the church-door.
Most respectfully, OYVIND THORESEN PLADSEN.
TO THE AGRICULTURIST, OYVIND THORESEN, AT THE AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL:-- Notwithstanding my advanced years, and the weakness of my eyes, and the pain in my right hip, I must yield to the importunity of the young, for we old people are needed by them when they have caught themselves in some snare.

They entice us and weep until they are set free, but then at once run away from us again, and will take no further advice.
Now it is Marit; she coaxes me with many sweet words to write at the same time she does, for she takes comfort in not writing alone.

I have read your letter; she thought that she had Jon Hatlen or some other fool to deal with, and not one whom school-master Baard had trained; but now she is in a dilemma.

However, you have been too severe, for there are certain women who take to jesting in order to avoid weeping, and who make no difference between the two.

But it pleases me to have you take serious things seriously, for otherwise you could not laugh at nonsense.
Concerning the feelings of both, it is now apparent from many things that you are bent on having each other.