"You mean that if I had but the same warmth in my heart as you, I should find beauty in this country of yours, and in your home—even in these dreadful hills."
And then gladly and confidently she went on:
"Do not be afraid for me. There is nothing to frighten me now. I feel now as you felt in your dream."
"There," thought Sven to himself. "See how little one can judge things at first sight. Truly she could not have found a better husband than Pastor Rhånge. He has a good heart and a good head. Who else could have answered her so well?"
[THE SEA]
THE newly married pair had come home on a Tuesday. On Saturday in the same week, Sven Elversson went up to the vicarage with some papers about the school. He walked straight up the front steps and through the hall into the office, and stopped just inside the door.
It was the Pastor's day for business, he knew, and though it was rather late, he had never thought but that he would find the Priest sitting at his writing-table. But he was not there—was not in the room at all. He could not be far away, however, for the big books that were always used on business days lay open on the table, and a pen was in the inkstand.
It was not Sven's way to push himself forward, and he did not care to go through to the kitchen and ask if the Pastor was at home, or look for him in any of the other rooms. There could be no harm, he thought, in staying where he was, to wait a little.
But as he stood, there was a sound of voices in the next room; the door was ajar, and he could hear every word distinctly.
"Sigrun"—it was the Pastor speaking, in an easy tone:—"the post ought to have been here by now. But I can't go down for it myself to-day, in case any one comes."