"I know. Of course, but—He is always taking things into his head.... How long it is since I saw you, Johannes!"
He looked up at her, wondering if he had heard aright. Had she forgotten last Sunday, his great day!
He answered:
"I saw you on the pier on Sunday."
"Oh yes," she said at once. "What a lucky thing you were able to help the mate with the dragging. You found the girl, didn't you?"
He answered shortly in a hurt tone:
"Yes, we found the girl."
"Or how was it?" she went on, as though something had struck her; "was it you alone.... Oh, it doesn't matter. Well then, I hope you'll speak to your father about that. Good-night."
She nodded with a smile, picked up her reins and rode away.
When Victoria was out of sight Johannes wandered on into the wood, indignant and restless. He found Victoria standing by a tree quite alone. She was leaning against the tree and sobbing.