When you have a
cold, there'll be people to come round and be anxious about you, and ask
how you are getting on. And this to happen to you!
He dined at the Uthougs' every day, and there were always flowers beside
his plate. Often there would be some little surprise--a silver spoon or
fork, or a napkin-ring with his initials on. It was like gathering
the first straws to make his new nest. And the pale woman with the
spectacles looked kindly at him, as if to say: "You are taking her from
me, but I forgive you."
One day he was sitting in the hotel, reading, when Merle came in.
"Will you come for a walk?" she asked.
"Good idea. Where shall we go to-day?"
"Well, we haven't been to see Aunt Marit at Bruseth yet. We really ought
to go, you know. I'll take you there to-day."
Peer found these ceremonial visits to his new relatives quite amusing;
he went round, as it were, collecting uncles and aunts. And to-day there
was a new one. Well, why not?
"But--my dear girl, have you been crying?" he asked suddenly, taking her
head in his hands.
"Oh, it's nothing. Come--let's go now." And she thrust him gently away
as he tried to kiss her. But the next moment she dropped into a chair,
and sat looking thoughtfully at him through half-closed eyes, nodding
her head very slightly. She seemed to be asking herself: "Who is this
man? What is this I am taking on me? A fortnight ago he was an utter
stranger--"
She passed her hand across her brow.
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