The peddler was a sad man who leads a sad and lonely life. He went around the city selling rat traps of wire. He knocked at a door where an old man lived without his wife and children. The old man showed sympathy and affection towards him, which he did not expect. But Peddler broke his trust by stealing thirty kroner.
The ironmaster, taking him as an old acquaintance showered kindness on him and invited him to celebrate Christmas evening with him.
Edla Willmansson requested the peddler to go to her home in a very compassionate and friendly manner. But while he was moving to the manor house, he felt very guilty about everything he did. His guilt forced him to improve his mistake. He did that by leaving a gift for Edla in which there were thirty kroner which he had theft from the crofter's house. He had written in the note to return the money of crofter back.