Ljung Björn did not reply, but sat quietly waiting. He knew that when his brother had seated himself on that stone, it was for the purpose of speaking words of peace. Therefore, he was not afraid of what Pehr might say.
"I have bought back the farm," said the brother.
Ljung Björn gave a start. "Couldn't you bear to have it go out of the family?" he asked.
"I'm hardly rich enough to do such things for that reason."
Björn looked at his brother inquiringly.
"I did it that you might have something to come back to."
Björn was overwhelmed, and could hardly keep the tears back.
"And that your children may have a place to come back to—"
Björn put his arm around his brother's neck.
"—and for the sake of my dear sister-in-law," said Pehr. "It will be good for her to know that she has a house and home waiting for her. The old home will always be open to any of you who may want to come back."