er 'Lizebeth's whole heart for the reason that he
wanted to know what title she ought to have by rights, and that showed
her what a fine boy he was. She patted his shoulder protectingly, and
his curly hair, and said: "You just call me ''Lizebeth', and if you want
to ask anything, then come into the kitchen, and I will tell you
everything you want to know and--wait a moment!" With these words she
turned round and chased about the kitchen, then she came to him with two
splendid, bright red apples in her hand.

"Oh, what beautiful apples! Thank you ever so much, 'Lizebeth!" he cried
delightedly, and now ran out.

'Lizebeth looked after him with such pride as if she were his
grandmother, and said to herself: "Let anyone come now and show me three
finer little boys in the whole world than our three are." With this
challenge, and the proud consciousness that no one could accept it, she
turned to her pans and kettles.

So Erick had won over everyone, but there was still one who looked at
him from the corner of his eyes and always with a look of wrath, for a
few days after Organ-Sunday, the Mayor had ordered that Churi should
appear before him, and the bold Churi could hardly keep on his feet when
he had to appear before the judicial tribunal, for he expected to
receive the well-earned punishment from the strong hand of the Mayor.
But the latter only pinched his ear a little and said: "Churi, Churi!
this time you get off better than you deserve, for I know now who got
the grapes last year, and I also know who wanted to get them again a few
days ago. If from now on, even one single little bunch is missing, I
shall hold you responsible, and you will be surprised at what will
happen to you, think of that! Now go."

Churi did not need to be told that twice; he was gone as if his life was
at stake; but from that time on he thought of revenge on Erick, and when
he met him, he shook his fist at him and said: "You wait! I will get you
sometime." But so far he had never met Erick alone, and had never been
able to do him the slightest harm. This secretly embittered Churi still
more.

Now winter had set in. Upper Wood lay deeply buried in snow, and
everyone was busy thinking of Christmas and New Year. In these days the
pastor gave a gentle hint to his wife, that the time for Erick's change
to the institute, for which the Mayor also had offered his help, was
fast approaching. But the lady hardly let him finish his sentence for
excite