At that moment Anna and Aunt Margret came back, heated and nervous after the conference, and bundled Magnus out of the room. Then while baby was being bathed for bed, behind closed doors, to the customary chorus of screams, Anna combed out Thora's hair for the night, and Thora talked of Magnus.
"People think him heavy and stupid, but he'll startle them some day," she said.
"Is it to be plaited as usual?" asked Anna.
"Just as usual. But how your hands tremble to-night, mother! That's nursing, you know. Poor Magnus! He hasn't a selfish thought in his heart. Any girl might love him, and perhaps if I had never known Oscar----"
"Doctor Olesen says you are to take a powder to-night, child. It will make you sleep until morning."
"It's you that should take the powder--you and Aunt Margret."
"Ah, if I could take it for you I would, dear," said Anna. "But here it is--take it quickly or I may."
Thora drank from the glass Anna gave her and said, "There! It's gone! Now bring me baby."
Aunt Margret came with the child, hushing it to sleep, and put it gently down into the mother's arms.
"The darling! She needs no sleeping draught. My precious, precious pet! But I declare--Aunt Margret's hands are trembling, too! I've worn you out, both of you."