"
They all laughed heartily, and Oyvind not the least. He knew very well
this was true, but it was not possible for him to speak more slowly.
Everything new he had seen and learned, during his long absence from
home, had so affected his imagination and understanding, and had so
driven him out of his accustomed demeanor, that faculties which long
had lain dormant were roused up, as it were, and his brain was in a
state of constant activity. Moreover, they observed that he had a
habit of arbitrarily taking up two or three words here and there, and
repeating them again and again from sheer haste. He seemed to be
stumbling over himself. Sometimes this appeared absurd, but then he
laughed and it was forgotten. The school-master and the father sat
watching to see if any of the old thoughtfulness was gone; but it did
not seem so. Oyvind remembered everything, and was even the one to
remind the others that the boat should be unloaded. He unpacked his
clothes at once and hung them up, displayed his books, his watch,
everything new, and all was well cared for, his mother said. He was
exceedingly pleased with his little room. He would remain at home for
the present, he said,--help with the hay-making, and study. Where he
should go later he did not know; but it made not the least difference
to him. He had acquired a briskness and vigor of thought which it did
one good to see, and an animation in the expression of his feelings
which is so refreshing to a person who the whole year through strives
to repress his own.
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