Samuel Blink and the Forbidden Forest Read Online Free Page B

the far end of the shop. The boy was about Samuel’s age, with white-blond hair and green eyes magnified by thick, gold-rimmed glasses.
    He came and sat on a stool behind his father, Oskar, and began playing with a calculator.
    It must be the closest thing to fun round here, thought Samuel. Playing with a calculator.
    â€œGoddag,” the boy said to Samuel. His smile revealed a silver brace.
    â€œHello,” said Samuel.
    â€œFredrick!” Oskar clicked his fingers, and sent his son away, as if Samuel was infected with something dangerous.
    To Samuel’s surprise, the poor boy did exactly as he was told, disappearing from where he had come without question.
    The other villagers in the shop were leaving, each one tutting or grumbling or throwing scornful looks as they passed Aunt Eda and the children. When the last villager had left, Oskar’s face softened, like a chunk of cheese that had been left too near a fire. And, in a voice that sounded both friendly and cross all at once, he began to talk.
    But what it was he said to her Samuel and Martha couldn’t imagine, although the bulging eyes made it clear it was something quite serious.
    Samuel wished he could speak Norwegian so he could understand properly. But if he had understood the conversation, he might have wished it the other way round, as the words coming out of Oskar’s mouth would have made him think everyone round here was totally mad. Including Aunt Eda.

The Conversation between Aunt Eda and Oskar (That Samuel and Martha Couldn’t Understand)
    AUNT EDA : What is the matter with everyone today, they seem so unfriendly?
    OSKAR : Eda, it seems strange that you have to ask.
    AUNT EDA : Well, I am asking.
    OSKAR : The children! Who are they? What are you doing with them?
    AUNT EDA : They are my sister’s children. They have come from England. My sister and her husband died in a terrible accident and they have no one else. No one. They must come and live with me.
    OSKAR : Near the forest?
    AUNT EDA : Yes, near the forest.
    OSKAR : Then you might as well kill them now. It would be kinder. Because you know if they go into the forest they won’t ever come back.
    AUNT EDA : They won’t go into the forest. I will make it clear that they must never go in.
    OSKAR : (shaking his head) As soon as they hear about all the creatures that live there—the huldres and the pixies and the trolls and all the others—they will want to see them. You know what children are like.
    AUNT EDA : No, I will make it very clear to them that they must not go near the trees. So long as they never go into the forest, they will be safe.
    OSKAR : (leaning over the counter) No, Eda, forgive me, but I fear you are wrong. You might be able to keep the children away from the forest, but can you keep the forest away from the children? Did you hear about Old Tor, the painter?
    AUNT EDA : Old Tor? Who has the art shop down the street? Whose wife was just so rude to me? I have bought pictures from him before. What about him?
    OSKAR : Well, he says he was out near the fjord on Friday, painting a moonlit scene, when he saw a great monster. A monster that had run out of the forest. A troll with two heads!
    AUNT EDA : (gulping) A troll with two heads?
    OSKAR : Yes, and it was being chased by even uglier creatures. Huldres!
    AUNT EDA : Huldres! Just like the Professor said.
    OSKAR : Yes. They were on horseback. Old Tor saw them throw a net over the two-headed troll and then beat him to the ground. They dragged the troll back to the forest.
    AUNT EDA : So what did Tor do?
    OSKAR : He hid behind his canvas and prayed to God that no one would notice him. He sat there shaking for two hours before he dared make a move.
    AUNT EDA : And it was dark. How could he see? He only has one good eye, hasn’t he?
    OSKAR : Yes. I know. But it is a very good eye. You have seen his paintings. Old Tor is the most respected man in the village…And if the creatures are stepping