He lifted the pot from the fire, poured out a little of the coffee in a cup, and poured it back again. Then, thrusting his hands into his pockets, he walked up and down, smiling and whistling to himself.
"Wonder what she will think, when I don't come to the station to meet her there? But she'll understand… yes…."
He went back to the fire, poured out another half-cup of coffee, and tasted it.
"H'm—yes. It's good, I think it's good."
He took a bit of rag, wiped the pot carefully, and set it back. Then he looked at the clock.
"They ought to be at Aittamaki by now—or Simola at least…."
He stepped across to the cupboard, took out a white cloth and spread it on a tray, set out cups and saucers, cream jug and sugar bowl, and placed the tray on the table.
"There—that looks all right!"
Again he glanced impatiently at the clock.
"They'll be at the cross-roads now, at Vaarakorva … might take that little stretch at a trot … if only they don't drive too hard. Well, Kyllikki'll look to that herself…."