"Since these town boys came you spend all your time with them," he said.
Another pause.
Johannes went on:
"But I have more strength to lift you out of the boat and carry you than any of them. I'm sure I'm strong enough to hold you up a whole hour. Look here."
He took her in his arms and lifted her up. She held on to his neck.
"There, now you mustn't hold me any longer."
He put her down. She said:
"Yes, but Otto is strong too. And he has fought grown-up men too."
Johannes asked doubtfully:
"Grown-up men?"