in the path, and would have taken her hand, but she drew back.

"Signe, I have thought a great deal of you for a long time. You know we
have been boy and girl together. My absence at school has made no
difference in me. I wish you could think a little of me, Signe."

"Hr. Bogstad, I don't believe in deceiving anyone. I am sorry that you
have been thinking like that about me, because I cannot think of you
other than as a friend. Let us not talk about it."

If Henrik could not talk about that nearest his heart, he would remain
silent, which he did.

Signe was gathering some rare ferns and mosses when Hansine's _lur_
sounded through the hills. That was the signal for them, as well as the
cows, to come home.

Early the next morning Hansine's brother came up to the _saeter_ to take
home the week's accumulation of butter and cheese. Signe, perched on the
top of the two-wheeled cart, was also going home. Hr. Bogstad, mounted
on his horse, accompanied them a short distance, then rode off in
another direction.




V.

"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"--_Amos 3:3_