“Let us go; it would be tiresome to stay here any longer.”
“Well, upon my word, I think this is rather shabby, Petra!”
“Very well, old fellow, if you do not want it so, it is all one to me!”
“Why, of course I want it so. It is not that; but am I not so much as to take hold of your hand?”
“What for?”
“As a proof that we are really engaged!”
“Such nonsense! Pray, what proof is there in shaking hands? However, you may take my hand if you like; here it is.—No, I thank you, not any squeezing, sir!”
She drew her hand back again under the kerchief; but now suddenly she raised the kerchief with both hands, and her whole face was displayed to view.
“If you tell any one, Gunnar, I will say it is not true. So now you know that.”
Here she laughed and started down the hill again. After a while she stopped and said,—
“To-morrow the sewing-school will not be over before nine o'clock; then you must be waiting behind the garden, remember.”
“Very good.”
“Well, now you must go!”
