human
Where's little Eric, Mother?
gpt
He's helping Hilda with the dishes. He does it of his own will; I don't like a boy to be too handy about the house.
human
He seems like a nice kid.
gpt
He's very obedient.
human
What are you knitting there, Mother?
gpt
Baby stockings. The boys keep me busy.
human
How many grandchildren have you?
gpt
Only thirty-one now. Olaf lost his three. They were sickly, like their mother.
human
I supposed he had a second crop by this time!
gpt
His second wife has no children. She's too proud. She tears about on horseback all the time. But she'll get caught up with, yet. She sets herself very high, though nobody knows what for. They were low enough Bohemians she came of. I never thought much of Bohemians; always drinking.
human
She was down here to-night, just before you came. She'd like to quarrel with me and come between me and Olaf, but I don't give her the chance. I suppose you'll be bringing a wife home some day.
gpt
I don't know. I've never thought much about it.
human
Well, perhaps it's best as it is, suggested Mrs. Ericson hopefully.
gpt
You'd never be contented tied down to the land. There was roving blood in your father's family, and it's come out in you. I expect your own way of life suits you best. Mrs. Ericson had dropped into a blandly agreeable tone which Nils well remembered. It seemed to amuse him a good deal and his white teeth flashed behind his pipe. His mother's strategies had always diverted him, even when he was a boy--they were so flimsy and patent, so illy proportioned to her vigor and force.
human
They've been waiting to see which way I'd jump,
gpt
I don't suppose you've ever got used to steady work, she went on presently.
human
Men ain't apt to if they roam around too long. It's a pity you didn't come back the year after the World's Fair. Your father picked up a good bit of land cheap then, in the hard times, and I expect maybe he'd have give you a farm. It's too bad you put off comin' back so long, for I always thought he meant to do something by you.
gpt
I'd have missed a lot if I had come back then. But I'm sorry I didn't get back to see father.
human
Well, I suppose we have to miss things at one end or the other. Perhaps you are as well satisfied with your own doings, now, as you'd have been with a farm,
gpt
Land's a good thing to have,
human
Only when you stay on it!
gpt
Mother, if you don't mind, Eric and I will take a little tramp before bed-time. It will make me sleep.
human
Very well; only don't stay long. I'll sit up and wait for you. I like to lock up myself.