Page:The Yellow Book - 08.djvu/320

to acknowledge, once more asserted itself as they climbed the stairs to Hjorth's room; so, catching sight of an oil-stove through the half-opened door of the kitchen as they passed, she declared she must positively go in and see the "machine," so that she might order one for herself like it.

"You go on," she said to Johanna, "and I will follow in a few moments."

So Johanna went on calmly enough, and, when she had knocked at the door of the deacon's room and had got no reply she walked inside, to find Hjorth lying back in a chair asleep. As she stood looking at him his eyes opened, and seeing her, he sprang to his feet, took her hands in his and kissed them gently.

"So you have come," he said. "That is good."

Nevertheless, five minutes later Johanna walked downstairs again, and tapping her aunt on the shoulder, separated her from the woman of the house, with whom she was in lively conversation concerning the stove, with these words:

"We are to go back by the first train to Helga. He says so. There are only a few minutes in which to catch it. Be quick."

Then Johanna's aunt understood that she had made a great mistake. It did not need any explanation on Johanna's part, though the girl gave it in calm, even tones, to assure her that Hjorth refused to marry one who was already promised to another.

"Why did you tell him?" she asked, rather ruefully.

"Of course I told him," Johanna replied.

"Then more silly you," said her aunt. "That should have come later."

So they caught the train, and went journeying homewards. The afternoon was closing in, and the great Jaederen plainstretched