“Yes; what then?” “Oh, nothing. I was only thinking I'd use the day off to mark out firewood for the winter. I've been thinking of that a long while. And it's easier now than when the snow's about.” Always thinking of his work, was Nils. He took a pride in it, and was anxious now, moreover, to show his gratitude for the Captain's having raised his wages since the harvest. It is Sunday. I walked up to have a look at the trench and the reservoir; a few more good days now, and we should have the pipes laid down. I was quite excited about it myself, and could hardly wait for tomorrow's working-day to begin again. The Captain had not interfered in the arrangements, not with a single word, but left all to me, so that it was no light matter to me if the frost came now and upset it all. When I got back, there was the landau outside the house--the horses had been taken out. Grindhusen would about have had time to get back, I thought; but why had he pulled up in front of the steps to the house? I went into the kitchen. The maids came towards me; Fruen was in the carriage, they said; 'she had come back once again. She had just been to the station, but now she was going there again. Could I make out what was the matter with her, now? “Nervous, I expect,” said I. “Where's Nils?” “Up in the woods. Said he'd be away some time. There's only us here now, and we can't say more to her than we have.” “And where's Grindhusen?” “Changing the horses again. And Fruen's sitting there in the carriage and won't get out. You go and speak to her.” “Oh, well, there's no great harm in her driving about a bit. Don't worry about that.” I went out to the carriage, my heart beating fast. How miserable and desperate she must be! I opened the carriage door, and asked respectfully if Fruen would let me drive this time. She looked me calmly in the face. “No. What for?” she said. “Grindhusen might be a little done up, perhaps--I don't know....” “He promised to drive,” she said. “And he's not done up. Isn't he nearly ready?” “I can't see him,” I answered. “Shut the door again, and tell him to come,” she commanded, wrapping herself more closely as she spoke. I went over to the stables. Grindhusen was harnessing a fresh pair of horses. “What's all this?” I asked. “Going off again, are you?” “Yes--that is, I thought so,” said Grindhusen, stopping for a moment as if in doubt. “It looks queer. Where's Fruen going to, do you know?” “No. She wanted to drive back again last night as soon as we got to the station, but I told her that it was too much for either of us to drive back then. So she slept at the hotel. But this morning it was home again, if you please. And now she wants to go to the station again, she says. I don't know, I'm sure....” Grindhusen goes on harnessing up. “Fruen said you were to make haste,” I said. “All right, I'm coming. But these girths are the very devil.” “Aren't you too tired to drive all that way again now?”