Sigrid was standing on the steps of the upper entrance as Pastor Tuft came across the yard with long strides. She was dressed in black with a black silk kerchief over her fair hair.
"The doctor is not at home," she said in her quiet way. He turned round and went toward the hospital with the same decision. There stood Andersen's widow, also dressed in black and in a cap with black ribbons.
"Arc you still in mourning for your husband?"
"No, this time it is for Fru Kallem."
"Is Kallem here?"
"No, he went home a little while ago."
That's a mistake on your part, thought Tuft, and turned his steps in the direction of the woods; he liked having a good long walk.
There were many people out walking; they all greeted him with joyful sympathy; it was not to be mistaken. Widow Andersen's stern face had cast a shadow over him; but it vanished before the kind looks of everyone else. Again the same impetuous courage came over him as it had recently done--the courage peculiar to all newly-converted people. Just by the hospital he met Sören Pedersen and his wife who were coming away from Kallem; they too were going for a walk this bright Sunday evening so full of messages of spring.
"Was he at home?" asked Tuft. "Yes, your reverence," replied Pedersen, highly delighted.
"Well, what did the doctor say?"