She fled into her chamber, thence into the garden, and there seated herself. She had only been there a few minutes when she heard first the chamber, then the kitchen door open, and finally the garden door was opened by her husband. "Magnhild!" he called. "Yes, there she is." Little Magda's light curly head was now thrust out, and turned round on every side until Magnhild was seen, and then the child came slowly toward her. Skarlie had gone back into the house. "I was sent to ask if you were not coming over to take dinner with us." "Give greetings and thanks; I cannot come--now." The child bestowed on her a mute look of inquiry, then asked: "Why can you not? Is it because that man has come?" "Yes." "Who is he?" It was in Magnhild's mind to say, "He is my ----"; but it would not cross her lips; and so without speaking she turned to conceal her emotion from the child. The little one stood silently waiting for some time; finally she asked,-- "Why are you crying, Magnhild?" This was said so sweetly: it chimed in with the memory of the whole bright world which was once more closed, that Magnhild clasped its little representative in her arms, and bowing over the curly head burst into tears. Finally, she whispered,-- "Do not question me any more, little Magda; but go home now, this way, through the garden gate, and tell mamma that I cannot come any more." Magda obeyed, but she looked over her shoulder several times as she walked away. Magnhild removed all traces of tears, and went out to make some purchases; for her larder was nearly empty. When she returned home, and passed through the sitting-room, Skarlie was still in his chair; he had been taking a little nap; now he yawned and began to fill his cutty. "Did you tell me the lady across the street was married?" "Yes." "Is _he_ married, too?" "I do not know." "I saw them kissing each other," said he. Magnhild grew very pale and then red. "I have never seen anything of the kind." "No, of course not; they did not suppose that I saw them either," said he, and began to light his cutty. Magnhild could have struck him. She went directly to the kitchen, but could not avoid coming back again. Skarlie greeted her with,-- "It is no wonder they make much of you, for you serve as a screen." She had brought in a cloth to spread the table, and she flung it right at his laughing face. He caught it, however, and laughed all the louder, until the tears started in his eyes; he could not restrain his laughter. Magnhild had run back into the kitchen, and she stood in front of the butter, cheese, and milk she had ready to carry into the adjoining room,--stood there and wept. The door opened, and Skarlie came limping in.