The things we do!

Over against the
other wall lay my fellow-woodcutter in his bed, and it was a strange
relief to me to hear that he too lay groaning and moving restlessly; at
any rate there were two of us to share the danger. I shook my head, to say
I had buried the nail in a peaceful spot, and could do no more. But the
corpse stood there still. I begged her pardon; but then, suddenly, I was
seized with a feeling of annoyance; I grew angry, and told her straight
out I'd have no more of her nonsense. I'd borrowed that nail of hers at a
pinch, but I'd done all I could do months ago, and buried it again.... At
that she came gliding sideways over to my pillow, trying to get behind me.
I flung myself up in bed and gave a shriek.
"What is it?" asked the lad from the other bed.
I rub my eyes and answer I'd been dreaming, that was all.
"Who was it came in just now?" asks the boy.
"I don't know. Was there any one in here?"
"I saw some one going..."


XXXI

After a couple of days, I set myself down calmly and loftily to write to
Falkenberg.


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