"Well! I went to Vogel island, and here I am safe!"
"It is you! We are together again!" she exclaimed, now in full belief. "Thank God! Thank God!" And she wept upon his shoulder.
They did not heed the time, as they talked and talked; and Rolf was just telling how he had more than once seen a double sun without finding any remarkable consequences follow, when Stiorna came forth with her milk pails just before four o'clock. She started and dropped one of her pails when she saw who was sitting on the bench, and Erica started no less at the thought of how completely she had forgotten the cattle and the underground people all this time. The herd was all safe, however—every cow as large as life, and looking exactly like itself, so that the good fortune of this Midsummer Eve had been perfect.
The appearance of Stiorna reminded the lovers that it was time to begin the business of the morning. They startled Stiorna with the news that a large company was coming to breakfast. Being in no very amiable temper towards happy lovers, she refused after a moment's thought to believe what they said, and sat down sulking to her task of milking. So Rolf proceeded to rouse Jan, and Erica stepped to Frolich's bedside, and waked her with a kiss.
"Erica! No, can it be?" said the active girl, up in a moment. "You look too happy to be Erica."
"Erica never was so happy before, dear, that is the reason. You were right, Frolich—bless your kind heart for it! Rolf was not dead. He is here."
Frolich gallopaded round the room, like one crazy, before proceeding to dress.
"Whenever you like to stop," said Erica, laughing, "I have some good news for you too."
"I am to go and see the bishop!" cried Frolich, clapping her hands, and whirling round on one foot like an opera-dancer.
"Not so, Frolich."