the little animals ran between his feet he would snort and draw back. Fru Raklitz, meanwhile, was far from calm. Her teeth chattered from fright, and she mumbled and talked to herself. However, she sat still as long as they were in the field. But the horse was not going to stand out there the whole night. He began to move on his own accord; he walked slowly, lifting his feet and putting them down very carefully; but at least he went forward and not backward.
The strange little animals got into the way of the horse and wagon, and there was a grinding, crunching noise as the wheels passed over the tiny bodies.
When Fru Raklitz heard that grinding she jumped to her feet, and began to shriek wildly. Long-Bengt quickly caught her round the waist, to prevent her throwing herself out of the chaise.
"They're after me! They're after me!" she cried. "They're on the wheels—they're on the step—they're in the wagon!"
The horse increased his speed. The chaise moved jokingly as the wheels went over the little animals.
"They're in the chaise, they're in the chaise!" screamed Fru Raklitz, springing up on to the seat. "They're pulling at my skirt—they mean to drag me to the lake!"
Now Long-Bengt had to stand up to hold her back. "By rights, I ought to let you tumble into the road for your meanness," he muttered. All the same he kept his arm round her.
