He was not displeased when next day one of 164 his old comrades told him in a pawkie, meaning way, that he had “seen him walking with Glumm’s handsome widow.” A man nearly sixty is just as ready to suppose himself fascinating as a man of twenty. Peter had his courtiers, and they soon found out that he liked to be twitted about Suneva; in a little while a marriage between the handsome widow and the rich merchant was regarded as a very probable event.
When once the thought of love and marriage has taken root in a man’s heart it grows rapidly. The sight of Suneva became daily more pleasant to Peter. Every time she came to the store he liked her better. He took care to let her see this, and he was satisfied to observe that his attentions did not prevent her visits.
In a few weeks he had quite made up his mind; he was only watching for a favorable opportunity to influence Suneva. In August, at the Fisherman’s Foy, it came. Peter was walking home one night, a little later than usual, and he met Suneva upon the moor. His face showed his satisfaction. “Long have I watched for this hour,” he said; “now thou must walk with me a little, for I have again some 165 thing to say to thee. Where hast thou been, Suneva?”
“Well, then, I took charge of Widow Thorkel’s knitting to sell it for her. She is bedridden, thou knows. I got a good price for her, and have been to carry her the money.”
“Thou art a kind woman. Now, then, be kind to me also. I want to have thee for my wife.”
“What will thy daughter say to that? She never liked me—nor have I much liked her.”
“It will be long ere I ask my daughter if I shall do this or that. It is thee I ask. Wilt thou be my wife, Suneva?”
“It would not be a bad thing.”
“It would be a very good thing for me, and for thee also. I should have thy pleasant face, and thy good heart, and thy cheerful company at my fireside. I will be to thee a loving husband. I will give thee the house I live in, with all its plenishing, and I will settle £70 a year on thee.”
“That is but a little thing for thee to do.”