And, when he begged her
to take off her veil, she grew bolder, and did as he said.
"Do you know me now?" she said. And suddenly I pricked up my ears; it was
Fru Falkenberg's voice. I turned round and looked her in the face.
It is no easy matter to be old and done with and behave as such. The
moment I realized who it was standing there I could think of nothing but
my age-worn self, and how to stand and bow with ease and respect. Now, I
had among my possessions a blouse, and breeches of brown corduroy such as
labourers wear in the south; an excellent, well-looking suit, and new.
But, alas! I had not put it on today. And the lack of it at that moment
irked me. I was down-hearted at the thought. And, while the two stood
there talking, I fell to wondering why the engineer had wanted me so
particularly to come with him to the station. Could it be for the matter
of a few _skilling_ to the porter? Or was it to show off with a
servant at his heels? Or had he thought that Fruen would be pleased to
have some one she knew in attendance? If the last, then he was greatly
mistaken; Fruen started in evident displeasure at finding me here, where
she had thought, perhaps, to be safely concealed.
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