Strange girl! had she thought to put up with my company on the way? She
said:

"But do you think you can find the way alone?"

"Surely; I've been there before. It's where we buy our things."

Now, I couldn't well walk through all the village in my working things all
messed up with clay: I put on my best trousers, but kept my blouse on
over. So I walked on behind. It was a couple of miles or more; the last
part of the way I caught sight of Froken Elisabeth on ahead now and again,
but I took care not to come up close. Once she looked round, and at that I
made myself utterly small, and kept to the fringe of the wood.

Froken Elisabeth stayed behind with some girl friend after she had done
her shopping; I carried the things back to the vicarage, getting in about
noon, and was asked in to dinner in the kitchen. The house seemed
deserted. Harald was away, the maids were wringing clothes, only Oline was
busy in the kitchen.

After dinner, I went upstairs, and started sawing in the passage.

"Come and lend me a hand here, will you?" said Fruen, walking on in front
of me.

We passed by her husband's study and into the bedroom.

"I want my bed moved," said Fruen. "It's too near the stove in winter, and
I can't stand the heat."