It was
not long before they came out again, and his father and mother
accompanied them as far as the gate.
His parents were strangely happy. They appeared to have gained a new
hold on life.
When the visitors were gone, father and mother lingered at the gate
gazing after them.
"I don't feel unhappy any longer, since I've heard so much that is good
of our Nils," said his mother.
"Perhaps he got more praise than he really deserved," put in his father
thoughtfully.
"Wasn't it enough for you that they came here specially to say they
wanted to help us because our Nils had served them in many ways? I
think, father, that you should have accepted their offer."
"No, mother, I don't wish to accept money from any one, either as a gift
or a loan. In the first place I want to free myself from all debt, then
we will work our way up again. We're not so very old, are we, mother?"
The father laughed heartily as he said this.
"I believe you think it will be fun to sell this place, upon which we
have expended such a lot of time and hard work," protested the mother.
"Oh, you know why I'm laughing," the father retorted. "It was the
thought of the boy's having gone to the bad that weighed me down until I
had no strength or courage left in me. Now that I know he still lives
and has turned out well, you'll see that Holger Nilsson has some grit
left.
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