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Page 19
"Two barrels of rye flour as a bribe! And your brother's reply?"
"O, Ragnar is not to be played with," replied Nanna; "'if you wish to
purchase my sister,' said he, 'you had better speak to her yourself, she
has not authorized me to sell her.'"
"So you have two lovers!"
"Yes, and the sexton, an old widower, is the third. He has considerable
wealth, and therefore applied to my father, himself."
"Without success?"
"Yes, father told him I was too young."
"Do you not prefer either of your suitors?"
"I would rather throw myself into lake Wenner, than to marry either of
them."
"Then let us speak of the school. It will give you a little income, and
is, as far as I can see, the only method of using your accomplishments
to advantage."
"You are right. It is my only choice."
"I fear so too, for a lover suitable for you would not in all
probability find his way hither; but in me you have found a friend at
least."
"Thank God, for that."
"But it is necessary that we should make one agreement--"
"What is it?"
"That we shall not fall in love with each other."
"Oh, there is no danger!"
"Ah! who can be sure of that? You possess beauties beyond your personal
charms, Miss Nanna, that may conquer me in spite of myself."
"You are also beautiful; but I do not believe that--that--"
"You do not believe that you would ever fall in love with me, you were
about saying. Upon my word that is so much the better, for to speak
truly I am placed in as bad circumstances as you are yourself."
"You are!"
"Yes, yes, I speak the truth. My only ambition is to become an assistant
in my father's office."
"If that is the case," said Nanna, "you must fall in love with a rich
girl only."
"I shall be careful of my own interests I assure you," replied Gottlieb,
"but now this perplexing point is rightly settled--is it not?"
"Yes, you are to marry a wealthy girl, and I am to keep a school, is
that the agreement?"
"Yes, and now we must make another arrangement, which is that we must agree
to meet each other during the evening hours at this spot. I own many
books that will be useful to you, and if you can sing--"
"I can sing a little, and the old sexton says my voice is beautiful."
"Allow me to hear you sing."
"To-morrow, I cannot this evening."
"O, you should not refuse a friend in that manner. It would be quite
different if I was your lover."
Without further words, Nanna commenced singing an old ballad, and her
sweet voice, as she trilled forth the beautiful words of her song, fell
upon the ear of her young companion like the soft music of a bird.
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