“Sh!” says Frøken Elisabeth. “Of course it is Fru Falkenberg; I know that perfectly well, but you need not say so.... I really think we're beginning to make an impression on him over there. Let's go on like we are doing, and look interested.” So she hadn't imagined I was trying on my own account, after all. I was too old for that sort of thing, anyway. Devil take it, yes, of course. “But you can't get Fru Falkenberg,” she says, beginning again. “It's simply hopeless.” “No, I can't get her. Nor you either.” “Are you speaking to Fru Falkenberg now again?” “No, it was to you this time.” Pause. “Do you know I was in love with you? Yes, when I was at home.” “This is getting quite amusing,” said I, shifting up on the sofa. “Oh, we'll manage Bewer, never fear.” “Yes, only fancy, I used to go up to the churchyard to meet you in the evenings. But you, foolish person, you didn't see it a bit.” “Now you're talking to Bewer, of course,” said I. “No, it's perfectly true. And I came over one day when you were working in the potato fields. It wasn't your young Erik I came to see, not a bit.” “Only think, that it should have been me,” I say, putting on a melancholy air. “Yes, of course you think it was strange. But really, you know, people who live in the country must have some one to be fond of too.” “Does Fru Falkenberg say the same?” “Fru Falkenberg? No, she says she doesn't want to be fond of anybody, only play her piano and that sort of thing. But I was speaking of myself. Do you know what I did once? No, really, I can't tell you that. Do you want to know? “Yes, tell me.” “Well, then ... for, after all, I'm only a child compared to you, so it doesn't matter. It was when you were sleeping in the barn; I went over there one day and laid your rugs together properly, and made a proper bed.” “Was it you did that?” I burst out quite sincerely, forgetting to play my part. “You ought to have seen me stealing in. Hahaha!” But this young girl was--not artful enough, she changed colour at her little confession, and laughed forcedly to cover her confusion. I try to help her out, and say: “You're really good-hearted, you know. Fru Falkenberg would never have done a thing like that.” “No; but then she's older. Did you think we were the same age?” “Does Fru Falkenberg say she doesn't _want_ to be fond of anybody?” “Yes. Oh no ... bother, I don't know. Fru Falkenberg's married, of course; she doesn't say anything. Now talk to me again a little.... Yes, and do you remember the time we went up to the store to buy things, you know? And I kept walking slower and slower for you to catch up....” “Yes ... that was nice of you. And now I'll do something for you in return.”