I took up his words according to my understanding of them. "All, then, is arranged between you and Katrine Loebeg."
"What do you know about her?" he cried, with a dark flush in his face. "Why do you mix up our names?"
The rascal! I could have knocked his head against the wall!
"Be careful, Gideon, be careful," I said, half warningly, half threateningly "more is known about you and Katrine Loebeg than you seem to be aware of. People are not blind."
He bit his lips. "What there is between Katrine and me is our business, and concerns no one but ourselves."
"You are in error. Katrine was born in this town, and she is an orphan. She is regarded with eyes of affection by many, and I could name worthy parents who would gladly receive her as a child of their own. See that you deal honestly by her. You did not finish what you were about to say. Suppose you wished to settle in life--"
"How should I be able to do so? If I set up for myself as a watch-maker in this place, either you or I would have to put up our shutters. There is not room enough for two."
"The world is wide, Gideon."
"But if I wish to stop here?"
"Stop here, in Heaven's name! Who prevents you?"