All. the characters in the story suffer from loneliness and are dreary souls. First, the tramp appears to lead a sad, monotonous existence, left to his own musings. He is always greeted by sour faces and cold words. The old crofter’s fate has been somewhat kinder to him. Bereft of his wife and children, he lives all alone in a cottage by the roadside and is rather happy to have visitors around. We also have the ironmaster and his daughter, Edla, who have no company for Christmas. The ironmaster’s wife is dead, and his sons are settled abroad. He, with his daughter, are happy to play hosts for his friend. Thus, all of them have a strong desire for bonding and comradeship. The crofter is happy to be friends with the peddler, although only for a night. It is the bonding with the ironmaster’s daughter that transforms the peddler. The love, understanding and dignity that he gets from the girl makes him leave his dishonest ways and redeem himself.