One tall lad, with the rope over his shoulder and his heels digging into the hillside, was dragging a wood-sledge up, with a heavy load of girls upon it.
Nikolai could not help keeping watch through the kitchen window, and left his mother, who sat inside by the paraffins lamp, without any answer.
They were Kristofa and Kalla, those two who were standing there in the street talking, while they slid backwards and forwards the whole time on a little bit of ice.

They were waiting for somebody--Silla perhaps; they were standing close by her street.

It was a question which of them would dare to venture in and be so bold as to ask Mrs.Holman with many "dear, kind, goods" if she would allow Silla to go over to her for a little while this evening--always untruthfulness and disorder! There was another sledge party with fine hats and glowing cigars standing laughing just outside.
Barbara stopped her knitting-pins to listen.
"We have this noise every evening till quite late," she remarked, "as long as the moon shines on the road." He turned hot all over.

If Silla were to get into this, then he might as well lay both himself and his hammer down.
Yes, there she was looking about at the corner for her two friends.
"Good evening, old lady," said he, suddenly coming out of the door.
"Is that you, Nikolai ?" exclaimed Silla, in surprise.

"Have you seen anything of Kristofa and Kalla?
I did so want to speak to them! Haven't you?
Do you know how I got out?
I was only going to get the cat in for the night.