As soon as it began to grow light, the door of the wagon was again opened. Johannes, surprised, looked up. Marjon came softly out in her bare feet, with an old purple shawl thrown over her thin little shoulders. She went up to Johannes and sat down on the ground beside him. "What did she do?" she asked, in a whisper. "Who?" asked Johannes, in return. But that was from embarrassment, for he well knew whom she meant. "Now, you know well enough. Did you think I was sleeping? Did she give you a kiss?" Johannes nodded. "Where? On your mouth?" "No. On my cheek." "Thank God!" said Marjon. "You will not let her do it again? She is a common thing!" "I could not help it," said Johannes. Marjon looked at him thoughtfully a few moments, with her clear, light grey eyes. "Do you dare steal?" she asked then, abruptly. "No," said Johannes. "I dare to, but it's wrong." "Indeed it isn't!" said Marjon, very emphatically. "Indeed, it is not! It's only a question of who from. Stealing from one another is mean, but from the public is allowable. I must not steal from that woman any more than from Lorum. But _you_ may steal from the huzzy, if you only dared." "Then can you steal from me, too?" asked Johannes. Marjon looked at him in sudden surprise, and gave a pretty laugh, showing her white, even teeth. "A while ago I could, but not now. Now you belong to me. But that woman has a lot of money and you have not." "I have some money, too--fifty guldens. Aunt Seréna gave it to me." Marjon drew in the air with her lips as if sipping something delicious. Her pale face shone with pleasure. "Five little golden Teners! Is it truly so? But, Johannes, then we are well off! We'll have a good time with them. Shan't we?" "To be sure," assented Johannes, recovering himself. "But I want to find Markus." "That's good," said Marjon. "That's the best thing to do. We'll both go looking for him." "Right away?" asked Johannes. "No, you stupid! We should be nabbed in no time. We'll start in the evening. Then, during the night, we can get a good way off. I'll give you the signal." * * * * * It was morning--clear and cool, yet growing warmer with the early August sunshine. Everywhere over the dark heather the dew-covered cobwebs were shining like clusters of sparkling stars. The fires of the foregoing evening were still smouldering in the camp; and there was a smell of wood coals and of honey. Johannes was well pleased. There was a glowing little flame also within himself. He felt that it was good to be alive, and a joy to strive. It was a long, strange day, but he was patient and happy in the thought of fleeing with Marjon. The dark woman was friendly toward him again. He was helping her in the circus the entire day, and had no chance to speak with Marjon. But now and then they gave each other a look full of complete understanding. That was delightful! Never before in his every-day life had Johannes experienced anything so delightful.