Eva thought she could walk, if she might lean upon some one; but it would be better, her friends thought, if she were carried.
“Dost thou feel any pain?” asked Louise, and gave her a sisterly kiss on the brow.
“No, none at all,” replied Eva. “Do not scold me for having frightened you so. I am so fearful, and the bullock were close behind us.”
“They were, God help me, only calves!” answered the Kammerjunker; “they wished to play, and only ran because you ran!”
“It was a foolish joke of mine!” said Sophie, and seized Eva’s hand. “I am very unhappy about it!”
“O no!” said Eva, and smiled so pensively, yet happily. “To-morrow I shall be quite well again!” Her eye seemed to seek some one.
Otto understood the glance. “The physician is sent for. Wilhelm has himself driven over for him.”
Toward the middle of the wood the mother herself approached them; she was almost as pale as Eva.
All sought to calm her; Eva bowed her head to kiss the good lady’s hand. The Kammerjunker told the story to her, and she shook her head. “What an imprudent, foolish joke!” said she; “here you see the consequences!”
Not before late in the afternoon did Wilhelm return with the physician; he found his patient out of all danger, but prescribed what should still be done. Quiet and the warm summer air would do the most for her.