Much frightened, Erick looked up to 'Lizebeth. "I did not know that I
ought to talk so in the parsonage; I have never done it and I am sorry
for it; now I will always remember to say it," he promised assuringly.
Now that did not suit 'Lizebeth. She had believed that he would answer,
"That is none of your business." For that remark she had prepared a
fitting answer. And now he answered her so nicely that she was caught,
but if he really was going to carry out his promise, then the lady of
the house might find out how she had schoolmastered him and that might
draw upon her some unpleasantness, for she knew how tenderly the former
treated the boy Erick. She therefore changed her tactics and said:
"Well, you see, I always say the names in the proper way; it is
different with you, you are their comrade, and as far as I am concerned,
you can call them as you like."
"I should like to ask something else, if I may," said Erick, and
politely waited for permission.
'Lizebeth liked this mannerly way very well and said encouragingly:
"Yes, indeed, ask on, as much as you like."
"I wanted to ask whether I may say ''Lizebeth' like the others, or
whether I ought to say 'Mistress 'Lizebeth'."
Now Erick had won over 'Lizebeth's whole heart for the reason that he
wanted to know what title she ought to have by rights, and that showed
her what a fine boy he was. She patted his shoulder protectingly, and
his curly hair, and said: "You just call me ''Lizebeth', and if you want
to ask anything, then come into the kitchen, and I will tell you
everything you want to know and--wait a moment!" With these words she
turned round and chased about the kitchen, then she came to him with two
splendid, bright red apples in her hand.
"Oh, what beautiful apples! Thank you ever so much, 'Lizebeth!" he cried
delightedly, and now ran out.
'Lizebeth looked after him with such pride as if she were his
grandmother, and said to herself: "Let anyone come now and show me three
finer little boys in the whole world than our three are." With this
challenge, and the proud consciousness that no one could accept it, she
turned to her pans and kettles.
So Erick had won over everyone, but there was still one who looked at
him from the corner of his eyes and always with a look of wrath, for a
few days after Organ-Sunday, the Mayor had ordered that Churi should
appear before him, and the bold Churi could hardly keep on his feet when
he had to appear before the judicial tribunal, for he expected to
receive the well-earned punishment from the strong hand of the Mayor.
But the latter only pinched his ear a little and said: "Churi, Churi!
this time you get off better than you deserve, for I know now who got
the grapes last year, and I also know who wanted to get them again a few
days ago. If from now on, even one single little bunch is missing, I
shall hold you responsible, and you will be surprised at what will
happen to you, think of that! Now go."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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