"About something bright; about--well, I hardly know what myself." ... "Tell me, Eli!" He rose in glad excitement; but, on second thoughts, sat down again. "No; not for all the world!" she said, laughing. "I sang to you when you asked me." "Yes, I know you did; but I can't tell you this; no! no!" "Eli, do you think I would laugh at the little verse you have made?" "No, I don't think you would, Arne; but it isn't anything I've made myself." "Oh, it's by somebody else then?" "Yes." "Then, you can surely say it to me." "No, no, I can't; don't ask me again, Arne!" The last words were almost inaudible; it seemed as if she had hidden her head under the bedclothes. "Eli, now you're not kind to me as I was to you," he said, rising. "But, Arne, there's a difference ... you don't understand me ... but it was ... I don't know ... another time ... don't be offended with me, Arne! don't go away from me!" She began to weep. "Eli, what's the matter?" It came over him like sunshine. "Are you ill?" Though he asked, he did not believe she was. She still wept; he felt he must draw nearer or go quite away. "Eli." He listened. "Eli." "Yes." She checked her weeping. But he did not know what to say more, and was silent. "What do you want?" she whispered, half turning towards him. "It's something--" His voice trembled, and he stopped. "What is it?" "You mustn't refuse ... I would ask you...." "Is it the song?" "No ... Eli, I wish so much...." He heard her breathing fast and deeply ... "I wish so much ... to hold one of your hands." She did not answer; he listened intently--drew nearer, and clasped a warm little hand which lay on the coverlet. Then steps were heard coming up-stairs; they came nearer and nearer; the door was opened; and Arne unclasped his hand. It was the mother, who came in with a light. "I think you're sitting too long in the dark," she said, putting the candlestick on the table. But neither Eli nor Arne could bear the light; she turned her face to the pillow, and he shaded his eyes with his hand. "Well, it pains a little at first, but it soon passes off," said the mother. Arne looked on the floor for something which he had not dropped, and then went down-stairs. The next day, he heard that Eli intended to come down in the afternoon. He put his tools together, and said good-bye. When she came down he had gone. XIII. MARGIT CONSULTS THE CLERGYMAN.