"Why, that's miles away--a whole long journey...."

"They won't ask about that if you're called to do it. Maybe she won't care
about having a thumb one place and a thumbnail in another."

But I was brave enough now; a very desperado in the daylight. I laughed at
Falkenberg for his superstition, and told him science had disposed of all
such nonsense long ago.




XXI


One evening there came visitors to the place, and as Petter was still
poorly, and the other lad was only a youngster, I had to go and take out
the horses. A lady got out of the carriage.

"Is any one at home?" she asked.

The sound of wheels had brought faces to the windows; lamps were lit in
the rooms and passages. Fruen came out, calling:

"Is that you, Elisabeth? I'm so glad you've come."

It was Froken Elisabeth from the vicarage.

"Is _he_ here?" she asked in surprise.