quite as enraptured with a sugar bowl as she had been shortly before with the swansdown hat.
When they had finally seen enough and were saying good-bye, it seemed almost as if they were parting from old friends. The goldsmith, his wife, and all the clerks followed them out into the street. Passers-by must have thought they had made purchases amounting to thousands of kronor.
"I really must apologize," said Lieutenant Lagerlöf, putting out his hand in a final farewell.
"Don't think of it. Lieutenant!" answered the goldsmith.
"But we have put you to so much trouble," Fru Lagerlöf interpolated in a deprecating tone.
"We have had a most enjoyable hour," the goldsmith assured her, "so don't be uneasy about us! One has to do something for one's own pleasure, now and then, though one does stand in a shop."
As the Lieutenant continued his stroll up Östra Hamngatan his hat was pushed farther back on his head than usual. He flourished his cane as he stepped along, proud of his adventure.
Fru Lagerlöf said in a low voice to Mamselle Lovisa: "I can't tell you how anxious I was; I thought we would surely be thrown out."
"It would never have done for any one but Gustaf," replied Mamselle Lovisa, "but no one can resist him."
