“Yes. That was a pleasant time.”
“And will you come again soon? Haha!”
She seemed to be making fun of me. Trying, of course, to show she saw through me: that I hadn't played—my part well enough as a country labourer. Child that she was! I could teach many a labourer his business, and had more than one trade at my finger-ends. Though in my true calling I manage to achieve just the next best of all I dream....
“Shall I ask Papa to put up a notice on the post next spring, to say you're willing to lay down water-pipes and so on?”
She closed her eyes and laughed—so heartily she laughed.
I am torn with excitement, and her merriment pains me, though it is all good-humoured enough. I glance round the place, trying to pull myself together; here and there an acquaintance nods to me, and I return it; it all seems so far away to me. I was sitting with a charming girl, and that made people notice us.
“You know these people, it seems?”
“Yes, one or two of them. Have you enjoyed yourself in town?”
“Oh yes, immensely. I've two boy cousins here, and then there were their friends as well.”
“Poor young Erik, out in the country,” said I jestingly.