its. One would have supposed that she had no
concern whatever in the matter. To her the day had, to all appearance,
brought no disappointment. The triumphant mood in which she had been
ever since she graciously proclaimed their engagement in her father's
room, far from having abated, was more pronounced than ever. She went
humming about the rooms and passages, and seemed to have no end of
arrangements to make, as if it were she who was about to take an
important and long journey. At supper she joked and teased until Joergen
began to have an uncomfortable suspicion that she was making fun of him.
At last he said plainly that he could not understand her. He thought she
ought rather to be sorry for him. She was to remain here in her own
comfortable home, working for those whom she loved, whilst he----. Now
he _hated_ what he was going back to, because it took him away from her!
He repented his exchange into the diplomatic service. He loathed
Stockholm. He knew what an inferior position a young man occupied there
who had no good introductions, and who, in addition to this, was
Norwegian. He was, in short, unhappy, and grumbled freely.

"You who distinguished yourself in the confirmation class, Joergen, don't
you know that Jacob had to work seven whole years for Rachel?"

"And how many have I not worked for you, Mary?"

"Ah! the reason of that is that you began far too early. It's a bad
habit you have acquired--that of beginning too early."

"Was it possible to see you without...? You are unjust to yourself."

"You had other aims, Joergen, besides winning me."

"So had that business-man, Jacob. And he had the advantage over me, that
whilst working and waiting he could see Rachel as often as he liked."

"Well, well--he who has waited so many years, Joergen, can surely wait
half a year longer."

"It is easy for you to talk, you who have never waited--never for
anything!"

Mary was silent.

"But that you should tease me into the bargain, Mary--I who, even when I
am beside you, must exist on such meagre fare!"

"You think you have cause of complaint, Joergen?"

"Yes, I do."

"You began far too early, remember!" And Mary laughed.

This put Joergen out, but presently he repeated: "You don't understand
what it means to wait."

"So much I do understand, that it comes easier to those who live on
meagre fare." And she laughed again.

Joergen was both offended and perplexed. A woman who really cared for him
would ha