I did not appreciate the compliment in the least, for I would a
good deal rather have had Charles, who danced well and was a much
nicer looking boy. Besides, Charles's sister Valgerda had told
me in confidence how Jacob had said to Charles that he would marry
me when I was a woman, or die. And was there ever such assurance?
From the day I learned of this, I treated Jacob with all the coolness
and contempt of which my naturally kindly disposition was capable.
When he spoke to me I answered him hardly a word, and took pains
to show my preference for Charles or some other boy. But it seemed
to make no difference to him.
I was just seventeen when I received my first love-letter from Jacob.
Like the dutiful fellow he was, he sent it through his mother, to
my mother, who read it before giving it to me. She handed it to
me with the words: "I need not tell you that neither father nor I
would ever give our consent to an engagement between you two till
Jacob had some good position." Way down in my heart there was a small
voice whispering: "Well, if I loved him I wouldn't ask anybody.
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