"Is the wagon harnessed?" was her first question.

"No."

"Why did you not see to it? Tell Gregory to put on his postilion's
uniform, and take his horn."

"O no! what is the use of that?"

"We have a perfect right to show ourselves before the whole world,
without anybody's leave or license. I mean people shall look out when
we drive by."

At last they took their places. As they passed the doctor's house,
Annele called out: "Blow your horn now, Gregory; blow loud! The
doctor's daughters shall look out, and see how we drive together. Look!
there is not a soul to be seen. They have shut the window in the
corner room. There they are, I know, dying of spite; they will have to
tell about us, for I can hear the old mayoress asking, What is that
horn-blowing? I should like to be behind the door, and hear it all."

"Annele, you put on strange airs to-day."

"And why not? you please me specially to-day. People are right in
praising your eyes. How true and clear they are! I did not know they
were so beautiful. You are really a handsome fellow!"

Lenz looked yet handsomer from the glow of pleasure which overspread
his face. "I will have some new clothes made in the latest
fashion,--shall I not?"

"No, stay as you are. You look much more comfortable and respectable
so."

"Not only look so, but am so."

"Are so, to be sure. Don't treat every word as if it were a tooth in a
clock-wheel."

"You are quite right."

They drove through the neighboring village.

"Blow, Gregory; blow loud!" commanded Annele. "See, there is where my
cousin Ernestine lives. She was our maid a long while, and afterwards
married a tailor, who now keeps shop here. She cannot bear me, nor I
her. Her green face will turn blue with rage when she sees us drive by
without stopping. There she comes to the window. Yes, stare your little
pig's eyes out of your head, and open your mouth till you show your
bunchy gums! It is I, Annele, and this is my Lenz. Do you see him? How
is your appetite now? It is dinner-time. I wish you joy of your last
year's herring."

She snapped her tongue in triumph as they went by.

"Do you take pleasure in that, Annele?" asked Lenz.

"Why not? It is right that we should show evil to the evil and good to
the good."

"I don't think I could."

"Then be thankful you have me. I will make them all crawl into a
mouse-hole before us. They shall be grateful for every look we bestow
on them."

As they approached the tow