"
"Well then, stay with us; that's the best thing for both of us; we're
accustomed to each other now."
"I hope you won't take it ill of me," he said; "but I don't intend to be
a servant any more."
"Have you something else?" she asked.
"No," he answered.
"Well, if you don't want to be a servant any more, suppose we make you
tenant on our farm."
This speech affected Uli like a sudden blow. He dropped his mutton-laden
fork on his plate, but kept his mouth open, turned his saucer eyes upon
his mistress and stared at her as if she had come down from the moon.
Freneli, who had been standing at the window, vexed at Uli's slow
eating, turned swiftly about and opened eyes and ears to see what would
happen.
"Yes, look at me all you want," said the mistress to Uli; "I mean it
seriously; if you won't stay as servant would you stay as leaseholder?"
"Mistress," said Uli at last, "how should I be able to become your
tenant? I'm not able; I'd have to be lots better off than I am. You're
only making game of me."
"No, Uli, I mean it," said his mistress, "and your not having money
doesn't matter; we could arrange it so that it wouldn't cost you
anything to begin; the whole place is furnished."
"But what do you suppose, mistress," exclaimed Uli; "even if you did
this, who would be my security? A single bad year on such a farm would
ruin me. The place is too big for me.
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