at; and then she wrote a book that she has both laughed and cried
over since then--all to keep the life in me. Could I look on when
in the winter she, who had toiled and drudged for me, began to
pine away? No, Karsten, I couldn't. And so I said, "You go home
for a trip, Lona; don't be afraid for me, I am not so flighty as
you think." And so--the end of it was that she had to know.

Bernick: And how did she take it?

Johan: Well, she thought, as was true, that as I knew I was
innocent nothing need prevent me from taking a trip over here
with her. But make your mind easy; Lona will let nothing out, and
I shall keep my mouth shut as I did before.

Bernick: Yes, yes I rely on that.

Johan: Here is my hand on it. And now we will say no more about
that old story; luckily it is the only mad prank either of us has
been guilty of, I am sure. I want thoroughly to enjoy the few
days I shall stay here. You cannot think what a delightful walk
we had this morning. Who would have believed that that little
imp, who used to run about here and play angels' parts on the
stage--! But tell me, my dear fellow, what became of her parents
afterwards?

Bernick: Oh, my boy, I can tell you no more than I wrote to you
immediately after you went away. I suppose you got my two
letters?

Johan: Yes, yes, I have them both. So that drunken fellow