character sketch of croner 

The crofter was an old man, without wife or child, who owned a little gray cottage by the roadside and gave shelter to the peddler when he knocked on his door because he was happy to get someone to alleviate his loneliness. He was an extremely gracious host, putting the porridge pot on fire for his guest. He served supper to the peddler and also carved out a big slice from his tobacco roll which was enough for the stranger's pipe and his own. The he got out an old pack of cards and played 'mjolis' with his guest until bedtime. The old man was not only generous with his hospitality, that is his porridge and tobacco, but also with his confidences. He used to be a crofter at Ramsjo Ironworks and had worked on the land. However, upon growing old, he could not do day labour so he had a cow which supported him, gave him milk for the creamery every day. The old man had received thirty kronor in payment for his goods. The old man was so easily trusting that he did not refrain from showing his guest, the three wrinkled ten-kronor bills. One could take him for a naive man but it is better to believe that the old man believed in trusting people rather than doubting them, which engenders a positive attitude towards life.