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The Rattrap –Selma Lagerlöf

Topicwise Analysis of Last 10 Years’ CBSE Board Questions (2020-2011)

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18

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Number of questions

12

10

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SA I SA II SA III LA II LA IV
Category

ABOUT THE AUTHOR for the materialistic things is highlighted. The

.. essence of the story is humourous, philosophical
Selma Lagerlof was the first female writer who won
the Nobel Prize for Literature. She was born in as well as historical.
Sweden in 1858. Sweden experienced an industrial
revolution and its agriculture was displaced by SUMMARY
the mushrooming of industries. This led to the The story revolves around a poor vagabond who
extreme poverty of farmers. “The Rattrap” gives us made rattraps from the begged materials. He was
a psychological insight of the human mind when a wanderer. He struggled for living but later resort
this transformation was taking place. The story is to begging and stealing for some extra income for
set with this plot and the extreme greed and avarice his survival.
The Rattrap 205
One day, when the peddler was lonely, he became made himself comfortable near the furnace to keep
engrossed in his own thoughts. He was quite himself warm. Since the owner of the mill was
amused to think that the whole world was a big very particular about the quality of the product, he
rattrap. It lured people with riches and joys and visited the iron mill every night. When he saw the
all the materialistic happiness. But these were vagabond lying near the furnace, he mistook him
the baits to entrap people. The vagabond felt as captain Nils Olof, his old friend. The vagabond
that succumbing to temptation spells end of did not disclose his true identity as he thought
everything. The misery and discontentment in the of making some money from the ironmaster.
life of vagabond made him think ill for the world. Ironmaster invited him to his manor house.
One day, he stopped at a little gray cottage by The peddler vehemently refused to go to his house
the roadside. The owner of the house was a man as he was afraid that the thirty kronors he stole may
without wife or children. He agreed to give shelter put him in a tight spot. The ironmaster interpreted
to the vagabond. Delighted to have company, the his denial as embarrassment because of his dirty
generous host gave him dinner and then played worn out clothes so, he argued that it was not
cards with him. The old man trusted the vagabond such a magnificent home that the peddler could
so he shared his personal details with him. He told not show himself there. He told that his sons were
..
that he was a crofter at Ramjo Ironworks, had a abroad and wife Elizabeth being dead, he stayed
milch cow and earned thirty kronors in payment only with his oldest daughter so, it would not be
the previous month. He also showed the nail where embarrassing at all. He insisted the vagabond to
he hung the pouch containing thirty kronors. join them for Christmas celebrations. Yet, the
The vagabond thanked the host for his generosity vagabond refused the ironmaster’s invitation.
the next morning and went his own way. When The ironmaster then sent his daughter to persuade
the crofter locked his house to milk the cow, the the vagabond. Though the daughter was not pretty,
rattrap peddler returned, went up to the window, she was modest and shy. As she approached him,
broke the pane, took the thirty kronors from the the peddler got alarmed and scared. She introduced
pouch and walked away. herself, as Edla Willmansson. She invited him and
said he may leave after Christmas anytime. The
The peddler ran towards the forest in order to
vagabond finally gave into Edla’s insistence and
discard public highway and to avoid getting
accompanied her. He covered himself with the
caught. He went round and round in the forest for
fur coat carried by the lady’s valet. He also felt
a long time but landed nowhere as it was a big and
guilty of stealing the money meanwhile. He found
confusing forest. He realised that he was trapped
himself completely entrapped. He thought he may
and the escape was impossible.
not come out of this trap now.
The vagabond felt dejected and tired. As he laid Next day, the ironmaster came for his breakfast.
his head on the ground in order to rest, he heard He told his daughter that his friend should get
the thumping of a hammer. This made him realise a good meal and decent livelihood. However,
that there may be an iron mill somewhere close his daughter said that she did not find anything
by. He gathered all his will power and headed in the guest which could assure her that he
towards the direction of the sound. He reached was an educated man. The ironmaster put her
..
Ramjo. Ironworks where the master blacksmith apprehensions to rest saying that once he would
sat near the furnace with his helper. The vagabond bath and change into better clothes he would
crept into the mill unnoticed. He entered the forge look groomed. But when the peddler came out
and asked for the permission from the master the ironmaster realised that he did not resemble
blacksmith to lie down. It was a cold December his friend from his old regiment. He was angry
night and the peddler wanted shelter. The and demanded an explanation. He also said that
permission was given to him coldly. The vagabond he will take the matter to the sheriff. The rattrap
206 CBSE Champion English Core Class 12
peddler defended himself saying that he made no porridge served to him. He thanked everyone
pretence about being a captain. He also reminded present and wished them good night. Edla asked
that he was pleading to be allowed to stay in the him to keep her father’s suit as Christmas gift. He
forge. Then he offered to change into his old rags may also return next year to celebrate Christmas
and leave immediately. He became agitated, saying with them. The peddler was amazed with her
that the whole world was nothing but a rattrap. words. Leaving behind the sleeping peddler, the
All the offers were a bait to put into trouble. He father and daughter went to the church. After the
insisted that the ironmaster was not impeccable service they returned home having heard from
himself. He too may get tempted and entrapped the church about the peddler’s theft. The girl feels
by the world someday. very dejected. The ironmaster was unhappy that
Ironmaster got convinced by the argument. they let the vagabond stay in their house. He was
He asked the peddler to leave immediately and confident that the peddler would have disappeared
promised he will not take the matter to the sheriff. by then with their silverware. But, when they
But Edla insisted on the vagabond to stay back. reached, the valet informed them that the guest
She felt it would be unfair to turn him out after had left empty-handed and had left a Christmas
promising Christmas cheer. Her father finally gave present for Edla. When Edla opened the package
in. The peddler wondered about Edla’s motive she found three wrinkled ten kronor notes along
behind this kind act. She took his hand and took with a rattrap. There was a letter of gratitude for
him to the table and fed him well. Edla’s behaviour towards him. The peddler had
After that, on Christmas Eve, the peddler did requested her to return the thirty kronor notes to
nothing but sleep. He slept through the morning, the old crofter. He also wrote that he was thankful
got up to have his share of the good Christmas for elevating him to the status of the captain. This
fare, and after that he slept again. He slept as if was the reason behind changing his old ways. He
he had never slept before, quietly and safely. He signed the letter with his name as Captain von
later participated in lightening the Christmas tree Stahle because this name gave him the power to
and helped himself to some Christmas fish and clear his conscience.
The Rattrap 207

SA I (2 marks) 17. Why did the Crofter show the thirty kronor
to the peddler? (AI 2016)
1. How did the Crofter entertain the peddler?
18. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the
(2020)
peddler and invite him home? (AI 2016)
2. Why did the peddler derive pleasure from
his idea of the world as a rattrap? 19. How could the peddler enter the forge
without being noticed by the blacksmith?
(Delhi 2014)
(Foreign 2016)
3. Why did Edla plead with her father not to
send the vagabond away? (AI 2014) 20. At the crofter’s home, why did the peddler
feel very happy? (AI 2015 C)
4. In what sense was the world a big rattrap
according the the peddler?  (Delhi 2014 C) SA III (4 marks)
5. Why did the peddler knock on the cottage 21. Read the extract given below and briefly
by the roadside ? How was he treated by the answer the questions that follow.
owner of the cottage? (Delhi 2014 C) But just as he laid his head on the ground,
6. What conclusion did the ironmaster reach he heard a sound – a hard regular thumping.
when he heard that the crofter had been There was no doubt as to what that was.
robbed by the peddler? (AI 2014 C) He raised himself. “Those are the hammer
7. What were the contents of the package left strokes from an iron mill,” he thought.
by the peddler as a Christmas gift for Edla (i) Who is he?
Willmansson? (AI 2014 C) (ii) Where was ‘he’ at that moment?
8. Why did the peddler decline the invitation (iii) Why did he lay his head on the
of the ironmaster? (Delhi 2012) ground?
9. Why was the crofter so friendly and talkative (iv) Did he feel comfortable on hearing
with the peddler? (Delhi 2012) the thumping sound? Why? (2020)
..
10. Who was the owner of Ramsjo iron mills ? LA II (6 marks)
Why did he visit the mills at nights?
(AI 2012) 22. How does the story, ‘The Rattrap’ show the
redemptive power of love and compassion?
11. Why didn’t the stranger tell the ironmaster
that he was not Nils Olof ? (AI 2012)  (AI 2019)
12. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly 23. ‘The Rattrap’ focuses on human loneliness
with the peddler? (Delhi 2011) and the need to bond with others. Comment.
 (Delhi 2019)
13. Why was the peddler surprised when he
knocked on the door of the cottage? 24. The peddler thinks that the whole world
(AI 2011) is a rattrap. This view of life is true only
14. What made the peddler finally change his of himself and of no one else in the story.
ways? (AI 2011) Comment. (Delhi 2017)
25. The peddler declined the invitation of the
SA II (3 marks) ironmaster but accepted the one from Edla.
15. Why was the peddler amused at the idea of Why ?  (Delhi 2015)
the world being a rattrap? (Delhi 2016) 26. Edla proved to be much more persuasive
16. What hospitality did the peddler receive than her father while dealing with the
from the crofter? (Delhi 2016) peddler. Comment. (Delhi 2015)
208 CBSE Champion English Core Class 12
27. Why did the crofter repose confidence in did he react to the new situation? What does
the peddler ? How did the peddler betray his reaction reveal? (Delhi 2013)
that and with what consequences? 31. There is a saying, ‘Kindness pays, rudeness
(Delhi 2015) never’. In the story, ‘The Rattrap’ Edla’s
28. Why did the ironmaster invite the peddler attitude towards men and matters is different
to his home ? Why did the latter decline it? from her father’s attitude. How are the values
(Foreign, 2015) of concern and compassion brought out in
the story, ‘The Rattrap’? (AI 2013)
29. To be grateful is a great virtue of a gentleman.
How did the peddler show his gratitude to 32. How are the attitudes of the ironmaster and
Edla? (AI 2015 C) his daughter different ? Support your answer
from the text. (Delhi 2012)
LA IV (10 marks) 33. How did the ironmaster react on seeing the
30. How did the peddler feel after robbing the stranger lying close to the furnace ?
crofter? What course did he adopt and how (AI 2012)

Answers
1. The crofter fed the peddler porridge for kindness. He not only offered the peddler shelter
supper and tobacco to smoke and even played a in his cottage, he also gave him food, played cards
game of cards with him. He also allowed him to with him and shared tobacco.
stay at his home in the night. He was so carried 6. When the ironmaster heard that the crofter
away in entertaining the peddler that he even had been robbed by the peddler he said to his
showed his earnings and where he kept them. daughter that the peddler must have stolen their
2. The peddler handcrafted rattraps and sold silver spoons and other valuables and left the
them to earn a living, besides begging and stealing. manor house.
His life was sad and monotonous; no one treated 7. As Christmas gift, the peddler left a package
him kindly. He often felt gloomy because of his for Edla Willmansson. It contained a rattrap, three
loneliness and at such times it gave him unwonted ten kronor notes and a letter. In the letter, the
joy to think that the world was a giant rattrap, peddler had expressed his regret for robbing the
which lured and entrapped others in it by offering crofter and his gratitude towards Ms. Willmansson
temptations, just as a rattrap would offer treats for treating him like a captain.
as bait. As he enjoyed thinking ill of the world, it
8. The peddler declined the ironmaster’s
pleased him that he was free from the rattrap; the
invitation because he still had the thirty kronor
temptations of the world could not ensnare him
notes he had stolen from the crofter. He was afraid
in the trap.
that going to manor house would only mean
3. Edla had a kind and sympathetic heart that throwing oneself into the lion’s den voluntarily. All
was pained by the plight of the poor peddler. She he wanted was to catch some sleep in the forge and
pleaded with her father not to send him away later sneak out as quietly as possible.
because first, it was Christmas and Edla wanted to
9. The old crofter was a lonely man without wife
keep the spirit of Christmas alive and second, she
or child. He was generous and compassionate by
wanted the peddler to spend a day of comfort and
nature, always in search of a good company. When
solace as a respite from his visual struggle.
the crofter saw the wearied peddler at his door, he
4. Refer to answer 2. welcomed him into his house out of compassion.
5. The peddler knocked on the cottage by By doing so, he also found a companion to do
the roadside to ask for shelter for the night. The away with his loneliness for the night. The crofter
crofter, who was a lonely man, treated him with was extremely generous at serving dinner and
The Rattrap 209
cutting tobacco for his guest, the peddler, without wanted to spend the Christmas Eve with his old
once thinking that he might be a thief. friend. Moreover, seeing the man in dishevelled
.. condition, the ironmaster felt pity for him.
10. The owner of Ramsjo iron mills was a very
prominent ironmaster, Mr. Willmansson. He Therefore, he spoke to the peddler kindly and
visited the mills at night to inspect that the work invited him to his home.
was done well. It was a routine inspection. 19. The blacksmith and his worker did not notice
11. The stranger thought that the ironmaster the peddler entering the forge because it was dark
might give him a couple of kronor taking pity and they were busy doing their work. Besides,
on an old known person. So, he didn’t tell the there was a lot of noise in the forge due to iron
ironmaster that he was not Nils Olof. bar being hammered on the anvil and the heavy
storms outside.
12. The crofter was suffering from loneliness
he had no one to talk to. That night, when the 20. At the crofter’s home, the peddler felt very
peddler arrived at his door, the crofter found a happy because it was for the first time someone
companion in him with whom he could have a had welcomed him into one’s house. The lonely
good conversation. This is why the crofter was so crofter fed the peddler warm porridge, shared
talkative and friendly with the peddler. tobacco with him, played cards and treated him
very nicely. The crofter shared his secrets with
13. The peddler was surprised because he did
peddler and even showed him where he kept his
not expect a hearty welcome when he knocked on
money. The crofter gave him a comfortable bed to
the cottage door let alone receive the crofter’s kind
sleep in.
hospitality. Usually, he met sour faces who turned
him away without showing him any kindness. 21. (i) He is the rattrap peddler.
14. The kind, understanding and generous (ii) He was trapped in the forest at the moment.
behaviour of Edla, the ironmaster’s daughter, (iii) He saw no way out being trapped in the
finally changed him. forest. He thought that his last moment had come
that’s why he laid his head on the ground.
15. Refer to answer 2.
(iv) Yes, he felt comfortable hearing the thumping
16. The good natured crofter was a lonely man. sounds because it was the sound of hammer
So, when the peddler knocked on his door, for strokes which meant people were nearby and he
shelter the crofter welcomed him with open arms. might get some help finally.
He served him porridge for supper and offered him
22. The peddler, who has never been treated
a big slice of tobacco for his pipe. He also played
with kindness and compassion, first comes across
a game of cards with the peddler till bedtime. This
it when the lonely crofter welcomes him into his
hospitality was unexpected as people usually made
house. Next, it is the ironmaster and his daughter
sour faces when the peddler asked for shelter.
Edla, who are seen showing compassion towards
17. The crofter showed the thirty kronors to the the weary peddler. Although, the ironmaster
peddler because the crofter felt proud of the cow expresses concern towards him only until he
that gave him enough milk to support him. The realises that he has mistaken the peddler for an
peddler was not convinced that the crofter could old and close friend, Edla’s attitude towards men
possess so much money. The only way to convince and matters is different from her father’s attitude.
him was to show it to him. Besides, the crofter was The ironmaster behaves rudely with the peddler
a lonely but trusting man, who was happy to share and questions him about his dishonest behaviour,
his feelings generously. he even threatens to inform the sheriff about
18. The ironmaster saw the peddler in rags, the peddler’s actions as he does not want the
sitting close to the furnace. He mistook him for vagabond in his house anymore. However, Edla
an old acquaintance and expressed his joy on empathises with the tired and dishevelled looking
meeting him after a long time. The ironmaster peddler. She invites him to celebrate Christmas
210 CBSE Champion English Core Class 12
with them and enjoy the Christmas feast. She is himself up, to live a life of respect and dignity.
more persuasive than her father; she seems firm Ultimately, The Rattrap is a story focussing on
yet polite in her approach when she insists that human loneliness and the need to bond with
he should stay with them for as long as he wants. others.
She asked him to keep her father’s suit, which is 24. Being ill-treated and rejected by the world,
given to him to wear and invites him to come the peddler derived pleasure from the thought
back next year for Christmas. The peddler used that the world was a huge rattrap; all its joys and
to be someone with a grudge against the world. comforts were merely baits to entrap people.
However, compassion and understanding shown However, he failed to realise that this view of life
by Edla transforms this selfish thief into a man was true only of himself and of no one else.
with conscience. He not only returns the crofter’s The peddler believed that as soon as one yielded
money, but also leaves a letter and a gift, a rattrap, to the temptations being offered to one, it brought
for Edla. In the letter he thanks Edla for treating one’s doom. His own actions proved this point.
him like a true gentleman, with great honour and For the peddler, the baits, which the world offered
respect and assures her that he shall change his were food, a comfortable place to sleep and above
old ways. This shows that kindness pays, rudeness all, money. Since he had neither of those, he
never. The peddler was not bad at heart but only a engaged in petty thefts and was in constant fear of
victim of his circumstances. getting arrested. When the crofter welcomed the
23. The poorly dressed, starving peddler wanders peddler into his house, treated him with kindness
from place to place, making small rattraps, which and made him his confidant, the peddler could
is a way to earn his living other than begging and not help but give into these momentary pleasures.
stealing. He has never been treated with kindness Instead of expressing gratitude towards the old
because of which he has a grudge against world. and kind-hearted crofter, who felt comfortable
To imagine others ensnared in the giant rattrap enough to show the peddler his thirty kroner, the
that the world is, gives the petty peddler a sense latter absconded with the former’s money. Later,
of satisfaction. However when, first the crofter when the peddler got lost in the woods, tired and
and then Edla, show kindness towards him, it hungry, the thought of the world being a rattrap
affects his conscience to quite an extent. The old reoccurred to him. The only difference was that it
crofter’s loneliness is clearly evident in the story. It was he who was trapped this time, unable to find
is because of his loneliness, he invites the peddler an escape.
into his house to spend the night. The peddler is He felt caught in the worldly-rattrap once again
amazed by the old man’s hospitality and soon starts when the ironmaster threatened to inform the
to feel at home. The crofter too, finds a companion sheriff about the peddler and his dishonest
in the peddler; and shares his food, tobacco and behaviour. The peddler finally realised that all
some of his secrets as well. good things in life were a bait used to entrap
The ironmaster and his daughter bring the people and nobody was spared.
peddler home thinking he is an old friend. It 25. The ironmaster, mistaking the peddler as
is Christmas Eve and they don’t want him to be an old acquaintance, invites him to his house
lonely on Christmas. So they ask him to stay for for the Christmas celebration. He seems to be
the Christmas feast. Realising the peddler’s real a sympathetic person in the beginning, trying
identity, the ironmaster threatens to inform the to persuade the peddler as much as possible.
sheriff and also asks him to leave. However, Edla However, the peddler refuses to accept the
insists on him staying and treats him like a guest, invitation because he was afraid to go to the
like the regimental officer as initially assumed manor house as he had stolen money from the
by her father. She offers him food, clothes and crofter. Although the ironmaster leaves, he allows
shelter. Being treated so, it brings about a total his daughter, Edla to bring the peddler home. Edla
transformation in the peddler. He resolves to pull seems more persuasive than her father, being firm
The Rattrap 211
yet polite in her approach. She comes with a fur cold and stormy night; the peddler soon lost his
coat for the peddler and assures him that he is free way in the jungle. Tired and dejected, the peddler
to leave whenever he desires after the Christmas had sneaked into the iron mill for shelter. The
celebration is over. Edla is not conventionally crofter’s money was still with the peddler. He
beautiful. But she, with her polite confidence, thought that to go to the manor house with the
friendly and compassionate attitude is able to win money would be like throwing himself into the
the peddler’s trust and persuade him to accompany lion’s den. It occurred to him that the world was a
her to her house for the Christmas celebration. rattrap, offering him the temptation of shelter just
26. Refer to answer 25. as the rattrap would offer cheese and pork as bait.
27. The crofter repose confidence in the peddler 29. The Rattrap is the story of a peddler who
because he lived alone in a cottage and wanted used to earn his living by selling small rattraps of
to enjoy human company. He was generous, wire. But, since his business was not profitable, he
kind and often felt lonely. Having found a likable often indulged in begging and stealing. He had a
companion in the peddler, the crofter opened grudge against the world because no one was ever
up to him and talked about his work and his kind to him. He took pleasure in imagining others
saving. Since the peddler seemed incredulous, the in pain and misery as much as he was. This is why
crofter took the leather pouch and without any he did not mind absconding with the old crofter’s
inhibitions showed him the thirty kronor notes. thirty kronors even though the crofter treated
Being a petty thief and always in need of money, him with kindness. However, Edla’s sympathetic
peddler took advantage of the crofter’s loneliness behaviour and understanding nature transformed
and planned to steal the thirty kronor. It did not the thief into an honest man. Edla’s father wanted
matter to him that by stealing from the crofter, he the peddler out of his house immediately when
would be betraying his trust. Knowing where the he came to know that he was not his old friend.
old crofter kept his money, the peddler returned But Edla insisted that the peddler should spend
when the crofter left his house to milk his cow. He the Christmas Eve with them and stay for the
broke the window pane, took the leather pouch, Christmas feast. She fed him, gave him clean
took the money and absconded with it. At first, he clothes to wear and a place to sleep for the night.
felt quite pleased with himself and had no guilt of The peddler was not expecting to be treated with
conscience. However, he soon realised the danger so much respect, almost like a gentleman. Edla’s
of being caught by the police. He switched to the humbleness and compassion won over the peddler
path, which ran through the forest, became lost and brought about a change in him. He not only
eventually. Tired, dejected and unable to find his left behind the thirty kronors notes to be returned
way, he felt trapped in the rattrap of life just like to the crofter, the peddler also left Edla a rattrap
others. as her Christmas gift. In the letter, the peddler
28. When the ironmaster of the iron mill came thanked Edla for her kindness and hospitality. He
for his routine visit the peddler, who was lying signed the letter as Captain von Stahle because
close to furnace, caught his attention. Mistaking Edla made her feel so honoured. The peddler’s
the peddler for Nils Olof, a close acquaintance transformation proves that basic human goodness
belonging to the same regiment, the ironmaster, can be brought out by understanding and love.
invited him to spend Christmas Eve with him and 30. Having robbed his lonely, generous host,
his daughter. Although the peddler did not disclose the peddler felt quite happy with his actions. He
his real identity to the ironmaster, he politely did not feel any qualms of conscience that he
declined his invitation. The ironmaster’s invitation had abused the confidence reposed in him by the
made the peddler think he was going to fall into crofter. The peddler thought only of his own.
a trap. After stealing from the crofter, the peddler He was walking along the public highway with the
thought that it would be safer to go through the thirty kronor in his pocket, feeling pleased with
jungle to avoid getting caught. However, it was a himself. But soon he realised that the police would
212 CBSE Champion English Core Class 12
be after him, waiting to arrest him for the robbery. stop her father from ill-treating the stranger and
Terrified by the idea of getting arrested, the plays the good host. She treats him as if in reality
peddler changed his course and adopted a route he was a captain and gives him good clothes to
going through the woods however, soon lost in his wear. She brings the transformation in him by
way. It was then that the peddler became angry providing the comfortable and most congenial
with himself for getting tempted by the bait like environment. Being there, the peddler, who could
thirty kronor and caught in rattrap like others. The not change himself even with the warm hospitality
reaction of the peddler highlights the predicament of the old crofter, her generosity and the sympathy
of human nature. Temptations lead to evil, the brings the change of heart in him.
fruits of evil seem pleasant at first, but they deprive 33. On seeing the stranger lying close to the
man of his goodness and push him into doing furnace, the ironmaster went closer to him and
wrong things. looked at him carefully. He removed his slouch hat
31. Refer to answer 22. to get an even closer look at him. As the light was
32. The characters of Miss Edla Willmansson low and due to the peddler’s unkempt appearance,
and of the ironmaster are exactly opposite to each the ironmaster thought him to be Nils Olof, one
other. In the beginning, the ironmaster seems to of his old regimental comrades. The ironmaster
be a sympathetic person when he mistakes the was happy to see an ‘old friend’ so, he invited the
peddler as his old friend from the regiment and peddler to his home for Christmas celebration.
tries to persuade him to join him for Christmas When the peddler declined his invitation, the
Eve. But, his attitude changes when he comes to ironmaster insisted saying that the former was
know that the man is not his friend but someone more than welcome in his humble abode. The
else. ironmaster thought that his ‘old friend’ was
He even calls him dishonest and threatens to hand embarrassed about his current situation because
him over to the sheriff. He does not want him in of which he did not want to come. The ironmaster
his house; only on the insistence of his daughter, felt sorry for the man in rags so, he persisted trying
Edla, he allows the peddler to stay. But he always to bring him home with him. However, when the
remains suspicious about him. peddler still refused to accept his invitation, the
On the contrary, Miss Edla is calmer, more ironmaster sent his daughter to persuade his ‘old
affectionate and understanding. She intervenes to friend’.