After that, I thought and thought again--why had they chosen me to drive them down? Perhaps it was meant as a little treat for me, as against Falkenberg's being asked into the parlour to sing. But surely--didn't they understand, these people, that I was a man who had nearly finished a new machine, and would soon have no need of any such trifles! I went about sharp and sullen and ill-pleased with myself, had my meal in the kitchen, where Oline gave me her blessing for the water-pipes, and went out to tend my horses. I took my rug and went over to the barn in the dark.... I woke to find some one touching me. “You mustn't lie here, you know; it's simply freezing,” said Præstefruen. “Come with me, and I'll show you....” We talked of that a little; I was not inclined to move, and at last she sat down herself instead. A flame she was--nay, a daughter of Nature. Within her the music of a rapturous dance was playing yet. XXIV Next morning I was more content with things. I had cooled down and turned sensible--I was resigned. If only I had seen before what was best for me, I might have taken service here at the vicarage, and been the first of all equals. Ay, and settle down and taken root in a quiet countryish life. Fru Falkenberg stood out in the courtyard. Her bright figure stood like a pillar, stood there free and erect in the open courtyard, and her head was bare. I greeted her Godmorgen. “_Godmorgen_!” she answered again, and came striding towards me. Then very quietly she asked: “I wanted to see how they put you up last night, only I couldn't get away. That is, of course, I got away, but ... you weren't in the barn, were you?” The last words came to me as if in a dream, and I did not answer. “Well, why don't you answer?” “Yes ... in the barn? Yes.” “Were you? And was it quite all right?” “Yes.” “Oh, well, then ... yes--yes. We shall be going back sometime to-day.” She turned and walked away, her face all in one great flush.... * * * * * Harald came and asked me to make a kite. “A kite?” I answered all confusedly. “Ay, I'll make you a kite, a huge one, that'll go right up to the clouds. That I will.” We worked at it for a couple of hours, Harald and I. He was good and quick, and so innocent in his eagerness; I, for my part, was thinking of anything but kites. We made a tail several metres long, and busied ourselves with paste and lashing and binding; twice Frøken Elisabeth came out to look on. She may have been every bit as sweet and bright as before, but I cared nothing for what she was, and gave no thought, to her. Then came the order to harness ready to start. I should have obeyed the order at once, for we had a long drive before us, but, instead, I sent Harald in to ask if we might wait just half an hour more. And we worked on till the kite was finished. Next day, when the paste was dry, Harald could send up his kite and watch it rise, and feel unknown emotion within him, as I did now.