Just then they heard a shrill voice calling,--"Now!" Then she remembered what she had to do. She rose and went to Ovind, put one hand in his, looked down, and said: "Forgive me." But then her courage failed her; she cast herself over the goat, and wept.
"You shall keep the little goat," said Ovind, and turned away.
"Be quick!" said the grandfather up from the hill.
Marit rose and walked slowly on.
"You've forgotten your garter," cried Ovind.
She turned herself, looked first on the garter and then on him, and at last mumbled--"You can keep that."
He went and took her by the hand,--"Thank you!" he said.
"Oh, nothing to thank me for," she replied, heaved a deep sigh, and went away.
But Ovind wasn't so happy with the goat as he had been before.