One day, while I was in a shop, I heard that there had been some slight difference of opinion between Engineer Lassen and his cousin. A commercial traveller was telling the shopkeeper all about it. But so great was the general respect for the wealthy engineer throughout the town that the shopman would hardly believe the story, and questioned the scandal-monger doubtingly. “It must have been in fun, I'm sure. Did you hear it yourself? When was it?” The traveller himself did not dare to make more of it. “My room's next to his,” he said, “so I couldn't help hearing it last night. They were arguing; I don't say it was a quarrel--lord, no! as delicate as could be. She only said he was different now from what he had been; that he'd changed somehow. And he said it wasn't his fault, he couldn't do as he liked here in town. Then she asked him to get rid of somebody she didn't like--one of his men, a lumberman, I suppose. And he promised he would.” “Well, there you are--just nothing at all,” said the shopkeeper. But the traveller had heard more, I fancy, than he cared to say. I could tell as much by his looks. And had I not noticed myself how the engineer had changed? He had talked out loud so cheerfully at the station that first day; now he could be obstinately silent when he did go so far as to take Fruen for a walk down to the bridge. I could see well enough how they stood looking each their separate ways. Lord God in heaven, but love is a fleeting thing! All went well enough at first. She said, no doubt, that it was quite a nice little place, with a great big river and the rapids, and so strange to hear the roar of the waters all the time; and here was a real little town with streets and people in--“And then you here, too!” And he of course, would answer: “Yes, and you!” Oh, they were everything to each other at first! But then they grew weary of good things; they took too much--took love in handfuls, such was their foolishness. And more and more clearly he realized that things were getting awry; the town was such a little place, and this cousin of his a stranger--he could not keep on being her attendant squire for ever. No, they must ease off a little gradually; now and then, perhaps--only occasionally, of course--it would be as well to have their meals at different times. If not, some of those commercial travellers would be getting ideas into their heads about the loving cousins. Remember, in a little place like this--and she ... how _could_ she understand it? A little place--yes, but surely it was no smaller now than it had been at first? No, no, my friend, it is you that have changed! * * * * * There had been plenty of rain, and the timber was coming down beautifully. Nevertheless, the engineer took to going off on little trips up or down the river. It seemed as if he were glad to get away; he looked worried and miserable altogether now.