"Oh, little Erik," she sobbed, "what shall I do?"
"OH, LITTLE ERIK, WHAT SHALL I DO?"
Erik put his hand on her shoulder and wondered what to say. It made him feel strange and small to have a grown person turn to him like this. It was almost as though he were the older of the two.
If he only were a man! He would be a banker and help Fru Hansson. He would give her as much money as she needed to save her home, and then Greta would not have to marry the Baron!
A banker! That reminded Erik of the Herr Banker who had visited Hanssonborg over Christmas. Why, he could help Fru Hansson. Erik suggested this to Greta, but she shook her head.
"Mother has already written to him," she said.
"What was his reply?" asked Erik eagerly.
"He refused," answered Greta. "Hanssonborg is already so heavily in debt that nobody will lend us any more money."