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Page 17
"Poor child, you have not reached your A B C's in arithmetic; but I will
be your instructor."
"How so?"
"You shall soon see." He quickly unloosed his neckcloth. "This," he
continued, "is precisely one yard in length. Now, I will measure the
ground, and when I have measured three yards, then--"
"What then?"
"Then I will seat myself; for you have yourself chosen the distance."
The unsuspecting Nanna had not the slightest idea of the little plot the
young man had arranged to entrap her. The poor child was unaccustomed to
mirth; for although Magde, Ragnar, and Carl, often indulged in
boisterous sports, still Nanna never could feel an inclination to
mingle with them, but had merely smiled at their ridiculous jokes. Never
had the clear ringing laugh of gleeful childhood issued over her lips;
but upon the present occasion her innocent heart entered into the spirit
of her gay companion, and when he deliberately measured three lengths of
his neckcloth from the spot where he was sitting, and then gravely
seated himself at her very side, a merry laugh broke from her lips, in
which the youth joined.
"Well," said he, assuming a comfortable position, "I can touch you, at
least, now."
"Yes," replied Nanna seriously, for she was musing on Magde's words of
caution, "yes, you can; but I do not wish you to."
"You do not?"
"I do not," replied she firmly.
"What an obstinate little creature you are!"
"You desired to know what I have read," said Nanna, wishing to change
the subject of conversation.
"True, but why do you hide your little hand under your apron, I shall
not touch it without your permission?"
Nanna smiled as she slowly withdrew her hands from their place of
concealment and folded them upon her lap.
"Now, my child," said the young man with an assumed air of dignity,
"first of all, you may commence at the beginning."
"When I was a little girl, my father bought for me some picture books,
which as I read, he explained to me. Next as I progressed further--"
"Well, what happened?"
"Next I studied the catechism, which I liked very much, then I commenced
reading the bible, a book which I love above all others, the new
testament especially. All that I do not understand my father explains to
me, and after he has finished, I go alone to my room, and as I read I
cannot refrain from weeping--But my tears are not sorrowful, I think
only of--"
"Of what?"
"I know not whether I should tell you that."
"Certainly you should; am I not your friend?"
"Well then--but do not speak about it to any one--I cannot help thinking
that if I had lived when our Saviour was upon earth, I should have been
one of the holy women."
"Who ever heard of such ambition! Why perhaps you would like to have
been the virgin Mary, herself?"
"Oh," exclaimed Nanna, turning her face, that she might conceal the
blush, which his words of ridicule, as she esteemed them, had called
forth.
"But, my child," continued her companion, "we will dwell no longer upon
your holy thoughts, so different from others of your age; proceed if you
please."
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