ButNilshimselfwasnotawareofit.Occasionally，whileheplayed，theNixy’shauntingstrainwouldflitthroughhisbrain，orhoveraboutit，wherehecouldfeelit，asitwere，butyetbeunabletocatchit.Thiswashisregret——hisconstantchaseforthoseelusivenotesthatrefusedtobecaptured.
Butheconsoledhimselfmanyatimewiththereflectionthatitwasthefiddle’sfault，nothisown.Withafinerinstrument，capableofrenderingmoredelicateshadesofsound，hemightyetsurprisetheNixy’sstrain，andrecorditunmistakablyinblackandwhite.
TheforeignmusicianandhisAmericanfrienddeparted，butreturnedattheendoftwoweeks.TheythenofferedtoaccompanyNilsonaconcerttourthroughallthecapitalsofEuropeandthelargecitiesofAmerica，andtoinsurehimasumofmoneywhichfairlymadehimdizzy.
Nilsbeggedfortimetoconsider，andthenextdaysurprisedthembydecliningthestartlingoffer.
Hewasapeasant，hesaid，andmustremainapeasant.Hebelongedhereinhisnativevalley，wherehecoulddogood，andwashappyinthebeliefthathewasuseful.