“Really, I should do my very best to make you comfortable,” implored Betsy, who felt terribly alarmed at Eline’s excited state. “We should have the greatest care for you, and I should study you in everything.” [[305]]
“But I should not study you. No, thank you very much. I value my liberty before everything. How can you be so provoking? We should begin haggling at once. Why, we are haggling now already.”
“Why do you say that? I am not haggling at all. There is nothing I should like better than for you to come here this evening, if you like.”
“Betsy, now just leave off about it, or you will never see me again. I won’t live with you any more. I won’t, so there! I’ve had enough of it.”
And she hummed a tune.
“Will you stay to dinner then this afternoon?” asked Betsy.
“Rather! But I’m tired. You won’t find me very lively. What are you going to do this evening?”
“We are going to the Oudendykens’. Are you not invited?”
“No. I never visit them.”
“Why not?”