Nilslookedinterested。“Theotherwill？“
“Yes。Alaterone。Theyknewyourfathermadeanother，buttheyneverknewwhathedidwithit。Theyalmosttoretheoldhousetopieceslookingforit。Theyalwayssuspectedthathecarriedonaclandestinecorrespondencewithyou，fortheonethinghewoulddowastogethisownmailhimself。Sotheythoughthemighthavesentthenewwilltoyouforsafekeeping。Theoldone，leavingeverythingtoyourmother，wasmadelongbeforeyouwentaway，andit’sunderstoodamongthemthatitcutsyouout——thatshewillleaveallthepropertytotheothers。Yourfathermadethesecondwilltopreventthat。I’vebeenhopingyouhadit。Itwouldbesuchfuntospringitonthem。“Claralaughedmirthfully，athingshedidnotoftendonow。
Nilsshookhisheadreprovingly。“Come，now，you’remalicious。“
“No，I’mnot。ButI’dlikesomethingtohappentostirthemallup，justforonce。Thereneverwassuchafamilyforhavingnothingeverhappentothembutdinnerandthreshing。I’dalmostbewillingtodie，justtohaveafuneral。Youwouldn’tstanditforthreeweeks。“
Nilsbentoverthepianoandbeganpeckingatthekeyswiththefingerofonehand。“Iwouldn’t？Mydearyounglady，howdoyouknowwhatIcanstand？Youwouldn’twaittofindout。“