Johnsen had expected to find something more ostentatious, especially at table; but the solid tone of the household, and the easy and polished manners of the family, perhaps most of all the presence of Rachel, finally caused him to change his original ideas.

He regarded with suspicion the satisfaction he felt, after having been at Sandsgaard a few times.

He was on his guard against everything that tended to draw him away from his calling.

There was one point which he felt of the highest importance, which was, since he had his origin from the poor and indigent, it was among them his work ought to lie, among paupers and in pauper schools.
One day Johnsen actually found himself hesitating before the door of his school, shrinking from going into its tainted atmosphere, when it was not actually necessary for him to do so.

The discovery caused him at first the greatest uneasiness.