Almost in the same instant the door of the room inside the house was opened suddenly and out into the cold night sounded loud and merry cries of "Hauke! Hauke Haien!"
Then Hauke marched into the house and never could hear the rest of the story of who was the dikemaster; meanwhile no one has found out what was going on in his head.
After a while, when he approached the house of his employers, he saw Elke standing by the fence below, where the ascent began; the moonlight was shimmering over the measureless white frosted pasture.
"You are standing here, Elke?" he asked.
She only nodded: "What happened?" she said; "has he dared?"
"What wouldn't he--?"
"Well, and--?"
"Yes, Elke; I'm allowed to try it to-morrow!"
"Good night, Hauke!" And she fled up the slope and vanished into the house.
Slowly he followed her.