Barbro and Hanna had also baked bread and cakes for the day the Finnmark boys were to leave. By then the Salthammer had made two trips to the trading post with barrels of herring, and had also collected building materials that Lars paid for with money he had received for the houses he owned in Reine, in cash. And a load of coke, as Ingrid hadn’t managed to cut peat in the summer. Magnus Mannvik had got to know Barrøy better, especially the building project in Karvika, which he praised, but not Ingrid, she had gone her own way.

At the moment of departure she shook his hand and thanked him for this and that and the other. He looked as if he had been thinking of calling her a bitch again and adopting a fitting smile, but couldn’t find one that was appropriate.

Ingrid also shook hands with Arne, hugged Sverre and told Helmer, who didn’t want a hug, that she would miss him. Jadviga was hoisted on board in the massive armchair and placed on the hold hatch, Barbro didn’t want it. Magnus lowered the port window in the wheelhouse, stuck his head out and said:

“Well, the weather’s behaving,” engaged the clutch and the Salthammer sailed away.

None of those on board waved, but Jadviga raised a hand. All of those left behind waved, except Fredrik, he was crying, and was laughed at by the new Hans Barrøy, who was told off by both Selma and Suzanne and looked up at his father for support. Lars told him to make friends with Fredrik as quickly as possible, they were going to accompany each other to school and would also be building a house together.

His son laughed scornfully and said something the others wished they hadn’t heard, received a stinging clout and he, too, began to cry. Fredrik smirked through his tears.

Then they all walked up to the house.

Lars at Ingrid’s side. He said this wasn’t going to turn out well.

Ingrid answered they would be making up before too long.

Lars said he wasn’t referring to Fredrik, but to the Finnmark boys.

Ingrid reflected on this, and her old feeling of having missed something returned, Lars must have seen something she hadn’t. She asked him what he thought about the work they had done in the gardens, he hadn’t commented yet, he said it was impressive, and that they would have to get a cow next year. She asked whether it wouldn’t be better to have two? He said they would have to see.

~