To another it might not have meant so much, perhaps, but for her it meant that she could devote herself to the calling which all her life she had longed to follow.
There is but little to add to this: The story that wanted to be told and sent out in the world was now fairly near its destination. Now it was to be written, at least, even though it might take a few years more before it was finished.
She who was writing it had gone up to Stockholm around Christmas time, after she had received the prize.
The editor of Idun volunteered to print the book as soon as it was finished.
If she could ever find time to write it!
The evening before she was to return to Landskrona, she spent with her loyal friend, Baroness Adlersparre[1], to whom she read a few chapters aloud.
"Esselde" listened, as only she could listen, and she became interested. After the reading she sat silently and pondered. "How long will it be before all of it is ready?" she asked finally.
"Three or four years."
Then they parted.
The next morning, two hours before she was to leave Stockholm, a message came from Esselde bidding her come to her before the departure.