"Yes, we'll do so!" he answered encouragingly, almost gaily. "Now he will not say 'No'!"
Had this, too, entered into his calculations?
He went closer to her. "If Uncle Klaus knows nothing about the American money, we shall get more—do you see?"
How well he had thought it all out! In spite of her disgust, Mary was impressed. Jörgen was a cleverer man than she had taken him for. Once he had the opportunity to develop all his gifts, he would surprise many besides herself.
She walked along, shrinking into herself like a leaf in too dry heat.
"You will manage this with Uncle Klaus yourself?"
"I shall go back with you now, as you may suppose. You need not have come. You had only to let me know."
Her head was bent and she was trembling. His superiority robbed her of her strength and courage; his words sickened her. As on a previous occasion, one foot refused to plant itself in front of the other; she could follow no farther.
Then she heard Jörgen call: "Come here, you little devil!" The dog again! His dirty scamp of a playfellow had once more tempted him from the path of duty.
There was something peculiar about Jörgen's voice when it commanded—it was subdued and sharp at the same time. The dog recognised it, but only looked round, irresolute. Being endowed with a happy frivolity of disposition, he rushed again merrily up to his comrade and went on with the game as if nothing had been said.