How I hated myself now for having talked so much, instead of reading her wish! But at least I would show her that I understood the hint. And, moreover, it was Frøken Elisabeth and no other I was in love with; she was not full of changing humours, and was just as pretty as the other--ay, a thousand times prettier. I would go and take work at her father's place.... I took care now, whenever Fruen spoke, to look first at Falkenberg and then at her, keeping back my answer as if fearing to speak out of my turn. I think, too, she began to feel a little sorry when she noticed this, for once she said, with a little troubled smile: “Yes, yes, it was you I asked.” That smile with her words.... Then came a whirl of joy at my heart; I began swinging the ax with all the strength I had gained from long use, and made fine deep cuts, I heard only a word now and then of what they said. “They want me to sing to them this evening,” said Falkenberg, when they had gone. Evening came. I stood out in the courtyard, talking to the Captain. Three or four days more, and our work on the timber would be at an end. “And where will you be going then?” asked the Captain. “We were going to get work on the railway.” “I might find you something--to do here,” said the Captain. “I want the drive down to the high road carried a different way; it's too steep as it is. Come and see what I mean.” He took me round to the south side of the house, and pointed this way and that, though it was already dark. “And by the time that's done, and one or two other little things, we shall be well on to the spring,” he said. “And then there'll be the water, as you said. And, besides, there's Petter laid up still; we can't get along like this. I must have another hand to help.” Suddenly we heard Falkenberg singing. There was a light in the parlour; Falkenberg was in there, singing to an accompaniment on the piano. The music welled out toward us--the man had a remarkable voice--and made me quiver against my will. The Captain started, and glanced up at the windows. “No,” he said suddenly; “I think, after all, we'd better leave the drive till next spring as well. How soon did you say you'd be through with the timber?” “Three or four days.” “Good! We'll say three or four days more for that, and then finish for this year.” A strangely sudden decision. I thought to myself. And aloud I said: “There's no reason why we shouldn't do the road work in winter. It's better in some ways. There's the blasting, and getting up the loads....” “Yes, I know ... but ... well, I think I must go in now and listen to this....” The Captain went indoors. It crossed my mind that he did so out of courtesy, wishing to make himself, as it were, responsible for having Falkenberg in the parlour. But I fancied he would rather have stayed talking with me. Which was a coxcomb's thought, and altogether wrong. XXII