Erna started toward the door, but he stopped her with: “Don’t you want another book to read?”
The temptation was a strong one, but she dodged it: “No, I’ll be too busy now. Maybe, later on,” she concluded with a lingering tone.
Nielsen looked away. Erna continued toward the door, but he hurried after her and opened and held it open for her.
“Good-bye,” she said.
“Oh no, not good-bye, but au revoir!” he quoted gently.
“That’s a hard word to pronounce.”
“Try it anyhow,” he encouraged her.
“Orrevore!”
“Fine!” he congratulated her, repeated the phrase, and added: “Come in again soon.”
“Yes,” she agreed.