be a good thing for Mårbacka," said their spokesman, "but it's of no importance to us."
When he came back from the meeting he felt rather depressed. The matter of the dredging was settled for some time to come. The river could go on creating havoc. If a stray herd of cattle trampled his fields he could drive them out, but the river must be left free to choke and destroy all in its path.
In the midst of these broodings on his frustrated hopes, he got up and went over to the servants' hall to see Bengt.
"It didn't go through, Bengt, that about the river," he said.
"That's too bad. Lieutenant!" the old man sympathized. "The Paymaster of the Regiment always said the farm would be worth twice as much if it wasn't for Ämtan."
"I say, Bengt"—the Lieutenant lowered his voice—"there aren't so many cats in the barn now, eh?… Perhaps we'd better let Britta keep what's left of them.
"Just as you wish. Lieutenant."
The Lieutenant lowered his voice a bit more, as if fearful lest the walls of the old manservants' room might hear what he said.
"Where did you drown them, Bengt?"
"I took 'em down to the river. I was afraid they'd come floating up and be seen, if I drowned them here in the duck pond."
"H'm, in the river—I thought so!" The Lieutenant
