question_answer 24)

The story also focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others.  

Answer:

The above statement is true for many characters in the chapters: (a) The crofter, because of loneliness, lets the peddler in. (b) The ironmaster at once bonded with the peddler without confirming his identity—'But of                          course it is you, Nils Olof!' he said. 'How you do look!' and again '...We were Just saying                       that it was too bad we didn’t have any company for Christmas.' (c) Edta Willmansson sensed that all was not well, yet insisted that the peddler spend                             Christmas with them. When the ironmaster wanted to turn the peddler out, the daughter                        said, 'I think he ought to stay with us today. I don't want him to go.' (d) The peddler, while leaving the ironmaster's house left a message, 'Written with friendship                      and high regard'.   The peddler was reformed by the kindness shown by Edia Willmansson. He wanted to be nice to her in return and did not want to embarrass her by his theft. He returned the stolen money, asking her to forward it to the old man. Human warmth and bonding enabled this change in him.