seen them come up. Then four men of Middle Lot wanted to carry the piano
into the cottage but it would not go through the door because the door
was too narrow and the piano too wide. And all who stood around to look
said she must be a very rich woman, because she had such a large piano.
But no one knew from where she came, and when anyone asked old Marianne
she snarled and said: 'I haven't any time.'

"All the people around are surprised that a rich lady should come to old
Marianne in the wooden cottage; my father has said long since that the
cottage would tumble over one of these days. And Sally! I wish you could
see the woman, you too would be surprised that she should make her home
there. Just think, she wears a black silk skirt on week-days!"

"And what about the boy, how does he look?" asked Sally, who had
followed her friend's story with close attention.

"I had almost forgotten him," continued Kaetheli. "Just think, he wears
velvet pants, quite short black velvet pants and a velvet jacket and a
cap to match. Just imagine a boy with velvet pants!"

"I should think that would be quite pretty," observed Sally, "but what
does he look like otherwise?"

"I have forgotten that, I had to watch the moving of the piano. He is
nothing particular to look at."

"Kaetheli, do you know what?" Sally said, "you go home with me. I want
to ask whether I may go home with you for a little while. I should like
to see that too, and then afterwards we will both go to old Marianne's
to call, will you?"