One would have supposed that he had a large number of friends in Bamble, for he went there very often.
He had already written to Help Bros., inviting them to attend his sister's wedding, and in accordance with his prediction, these worthy shipowners had promptly accepted the invitation.
The fifteenth of May came, and any day now they might expect Ole to alight from his kariol, throw open the door, and shout in his hearty, cheerful voice: "It is I! Here I am!" A little patience was all that was needed now, for everything was in readiness, and Siegfrid needed only a word to appear before them in all her splendor.
The 16th and 17th passed, and still no Ole, nor did the postman bring any letter from Newfoundland.
"There is no cause for anxiety, little sister," Joel said, again and again.

"A sailing-vessel is always subject to delays.

It is a long way from St.Pierre-Miquelon to Bergen.

How I wish the 'Viking' were a steamer and I the engine.

How I would drive along against wind and tide, even if I should burst my boiler on coming into port." He said all this because he saw very plainly that Hulda's uneasiness was increasing from day to day.
Just at this time, too, the weather was very bad in the Telemark.
Violent gales swept the high table-lands, and these winds, which blew from the west, came from America.
"They ought to have hastened the arrival of the 'Viking,'" the young girl repeated again and again.
"Yes, little sister," replied Joel; "but they are so strong that they may have hindered its progress, and compelled it to face the gale.
People can't always do as they like upon the sea." "So you are not uneasy, Joel ?" "No, Hulda, no.