[Subsection]

Little by little Per's shock subsided. At first there was yawning emptiness where Botolv had been; then it lessened. Only later did it return.

Olav Bringa had heard what had happened and came to Bufast. He came over time after time. Per was less often allowed   [p. 65]   to visit Olav at Bringa. But he went there now and then. Bringa was like all other farms. You recognized it all from what went on at home.

When school began everything was back to normal, in appearance at any rate. Per had to work and be the best. There was little pleasure in it, but it gave him no peace until he did.

He came no closer to Mother and Father because Botolv was dead. Now Mother concentrated on the baby, Åsmund. Per was big and could look after himself, they said.