They would not have refused to assist you, either by purchasing the mortgage of Sandgoist, or by loaning you the money to pay it." "I have no friends of whom I could ask such a favor." "Yes, you have, Dame Hansen.

I know at least one person who would have done it without the slightest hesitation." "And who is that, if you please ?" "Sylvius Hogg, member of the Storthing." Dame Hansen, too deeply moved to reply in words, bowed her thanks to the professor.
"But what's done can't be undone, unfortunately," added Sylvius Hogg, "and I should be greatly obliged to you, Dame Hansen, if you would refrain from saying anything to your children about this conversation." And the two separated.
The professor had resumed his former habits, and his daily walks as well.

In company with Joel and Hulda, he spent several hours every day in visiting the points of interest in and about Dal--not going too far, however, for fear of wearying the young girl.

Much of his time, too, was devoted to his extensive correspondence.

He wrote letter after letter to Bergen and Christiania, stimulating the zeal all who were engaged in the good work of searching for the "Viking." To find Ole seemed to be his sole aim in life now.
He even felt it his duty to again absent himself for twenty-four hours, doubtless for an object in some way connected with the affair in which Dame Hansen's family was so deeply interested; but, as before, he maintained absolute silence in regard to what he was doing or having done in this matter.
In the meantime Hulda regained strength but slowly.