[Subsection]

He had found Olav Bringa.

Per had found something that he had no name for, any more than for all the other things he wondered about. It was in Olav, and he had always longed for it. Before school began he had not even known about Olav. Then, during one recess, each had stood facing the other, noticed the quiet, questioning, bewildered face in front of him, and recognized in it a friendship that would last forever.

It was unlike anything Per had experienced before. It was not in Botolv or the others at home, but it was in Olav---in the searching expression in his eyes, about his temples, and around his mouth.

I will never let him down, he thought, and something shot through his breast. It felt good. What was it?

They had to share the same desk in the schoolroom, and when they stole a glance at each other during the lesson, it   [p. 51]   felt as if this was the right way to sit if life were to be as it should.

"Do you have any birthmarks?" Olav had asked in great confidence as soon as they were alone.

"No."

"I have. Do you want to see it?"

Olav clearly asked as if giving him a present.

"Yes, please!" answered Per, wondering what he could do in return. He felt proud as well; this was for him alone.

They went into a little shed, and Per was shown the birthmark. It was in the small of the back, jagged and uneven, and quite long.

"Can you see what it looks like?" asked Olav.

"No."

"They say it looks like a country called England in geography."

Per looked again. He did not have much idea of what England looked like yet. He had not started geography, nor had Olav. It was a fine birthmark; he envied Olav greatly.

"I'll never really see it myself," explained Olav sorrowfully. "But they say it's made like England on the map. It's a big country, England."

"Yes, I'm sure it is," said Per, impressed. He had nothing that could compare with this, he realized. All the same there grew in him at that very moment an extraordinary affection for Olav. This was between Olav and himself. On the other side of the wall the rest of the children were playing; they had not been allowed to see it or know about it. Per and Olav went out to join them. Per was grateful; Olav too was grateful. Now they would be together.