They always rode together to the meetings, where
Lars never spoke, and only on the road to and from, could Canute
learn his opinion. They were looked upon as inseparable.
One fine autumn day, the parish-commissioners were convened, for
the purpose of considering, among other matters, a proposal made
by the Foged, to sell the public grain-magazine, and with the
proceeds establish a savings-bank. Canute Aakre, the chairman,
would certainly have approved this, had he been guided by his
better judgment; but, in the first place, the motion was made by
the Foged, whom Wergeland did not like, consequently, neither did
Canute; secondly, the grain-magazine had been erected by his
powerful paternal grandfather, by whom it was presented to the
parish. To him the proposal was not free from an appearance of
personal offence; therefore, he had not spoken of it to any one,
not even to Lars, who never himself introduced a subject.
As chairman, Canute read the proposal without comment, but,
according to his habit, looked over to Lars, who sat as usual a
little to one side, holding a straw between his teeth; this he
always did when entering upon a subject, using it as he would a
toothpick, letting it hang loosely in one corner of his mouth, or
turning it more quickly or slowly, according to the humor he was
in. Canute now saw with surprise, that the straw moved very fast.
He asked quickly, "Do you think we ought to agree to this?"
Lars answered dryly, "Yes, I do.
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