For the next few weeks there was, Erik knew, no hope that the Baron would leave Hanssonborg. The days were full of jollity and feasting, and many visitors arrived.
Of course Erik could do nothing to hasten the Baron's departure. He had given his promise to Herr Banker that he would never again sing to annoy people.
Finally on January thirteenth, Christmas was "danced out," and the guests began to leave. Erik prayed that the Baron would be one of those to go. But each day he heard that the Baron had stayed on.
Vacation was over, and now Erik had to rise in the darkness of early morning in order to be on time at the village school.
SWEDISH SCHOOL CHILDREN PLAYING INDIANS
It was Saturday, which is the same as any other week day in Sweden. So Erik was skiing to school, when all at once he heard his name called and he looked around. There was Greta, skiing to meet him. As she approached, he saw that her face was pale, and it seemed to Erik that she had been crying.
"You are up early," he told her.
"I want to talk with you, Erik," she said. "We've not had a chance to be together for ever so long."
Why was she out alone this early in the morning? What had happened?