Leonarda. Sorry? He came here with a smile on his lips! Aagot. That was because he was in such a fright, aunt. Leonarda. Do people smile because they are in a fright? Aagot. Others don't, but he does. Do you know, dear, he was just the same with me at first--he smiled and looked so silly; and afterwards he told me that it was simply from fright. Leonarda. If he had felt any qualms of conscience at all, as you pretend he did, he would at least have taken the very first opportunity to apologise. Aagot. Didn't he do that? Leonarda. No; he stood here beating about the bush and smiling-- Aagot. Then you must have frightened the sense out of him, aunt. He is shy, you know.--Aunt, let me tell you he is studying for the church. Leonarda. Oh, he is that too, is he! Aagot. Of course he is. You know he is the bishop's nephew, and is studying for the church, and of course that is what made him so prejudiced. But his behaviour that day was just what opened his eyes--because he is very kind-hearted. Dear, darling aunt-- Leonarda. Get up! It is silly to lie there like that. Where did you learn that trick? Aagot (getting up). I am sure I don't know. But you frighten me so. (Cries.) Leonarda. I can't help that. You frightened me first, you know, child. Aagot. Yes, but it is all quite different from what you think, aunt. He is no longer our enemy. He has reproached himself so genuinely for treating you as he did--it is perfectly true, aunt. We all heard him say so. He said so first to other people, so that it should come round to me; and then I heard him saying so to them; and eventually he told me so, in so many words. Leonarda. Why did you not write and tell me? Aagot. Because you are not like other people, aunt! If I had as much as mentioned he was there, you would have told me to come home again at once. You aren't like others, you know. Leonarda. But how in the world did it come about that you--? Aagot. You know, dear, that if any one sings _your_ praises, that is enough to make me their friend at once. And when, to crown all, this man did it who had behaved so unjustly to you, you can well believe that I went about singing for joy all day. That was the beginning of it-- Leonarda. Yes, tell me the whole story. Aagot. That would be simply impossible, aunt! It would take me days!--But I can tell you this, that I had no idea what it was that was upsetting my nerves in such a manner. Leonarda. If you felt like that, why did you not come away? Aagot. That was just what I did! But that was also just what made the whole thing happen! Leonarda. How? Try and tell me a little more calmly and consecutively! Aagot. Thank you, aunt! It is good of you to listen to me! Good heavens, how I--. (Bursts into tears.) Leonarda. There--there! Tell me all about it from beginning to end.