"You are not driving me!" she answered.
"No. But if Fruen would only give it up and stay at home...."
At this she was offended; she stared at me, looked me up and down, and
said:
"Excuse me, but this is no business of yours. Because I got you dismissed
once...."
"No, no, it's not that!" I cried desperately, and could say no more. When
she took it that way I was helpless.
Just for one moment a wave of fury came over me; I had only to put out my
arms and I could lift her out of the carriage altogether, this child, this
pitiful hen! My arms must have twitched at the thought, for she gave a
sudden frightened start, and shifted in her seat. Then all at once the
reaction took me; I turned foolish and soft, and tried once more:
"It'll be so dismal for us all here if you go. Do let us try if we can't
hit on something between us to pass the time for you! I can read a little,
reading aloud, and there's Lars can sing. Perhaps I might tell stories--
tell of something or other.
Pages:
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447