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Page 50
It was sunset. The glowing reflection of the sun fell upon Nanna's pale
neck and face, illumining them with a golden blush.
"I am sorry," said Gottlieb, at length, throwing aside the blade of
grass, and assuming a serious cast of countenance, "I am sorry that our
lessons must have an end; but all is for the best, for, my child, you
know enough already."
"More than enough," replied Nanna, softly.
"Especially for a school teacher," said Gottlieb.
"Yes, especially for a school teacher," repeated Nanna.
"But you speak so abstractedly. You are not so lively as usual."
"I did not know it; but if Gottlieb says so, it must be true. When one
has been so glad as I have been to-day, and then as sorrowful, it takes
much courage to meet the change indifferently."
"But, dear Nanna, you were aware that I should be forced to go away
soon."
"I did not know that you were going so soon as to-morrow morning."
"Neither did I, myself, when I saw you yesterday; but when I determined
to go by the steamboat, you perceive that--"
"Yes, yes."
"And then again what difference will a day or two more or less make,
when we part--"
"Never again to meet," interrupted Nanna.
"You will do right in the meantime not to hope too much."
Nanna glanced inquiringly towards Gottlieb.
"Do you not think it strange, Nanna, that we who have been acquainted
but so short a season, should think so much of each other?"
"It is perfectly natural that we should. Persons in fashionable society
cannot become so well acquainted with each other as we could in one
hour. At first we met each other every evening, then every morning and
evening, and at length--"
"And at length morning, noon and night!" interrupted Gottlieb, with a
smile. "In truth, Nanna, you are right, for if our every meeting was so
divided that we should be together but once each week, our acquaintance
would have been prolonged for an entire year."
"O, much longer than that even," said Nanna, joining in Gottlieb's
laugh.
"And as we have remained by our agreement not to fall in love with each
other, we part as friends, and not in despair, and what is still better,
not with reproaches, which, had the case been different, we would have
been obliged to make and listen to."
"Yes, it is fortunate, very fortunate, that--that--" stammered Nanna,
unable to finish the sentence.
"We need not conceal from ourselves that in making that arrangement we
ran a great risk. For my part, I am not too proud to say that it has
been very difficult for me to keep it."
"But Gottlieb," replied Nanna, "as you have kept it, it is better as it
is."
"Certainly; but then it is not so good as I wish to have it."
"How do you wish it to be then?" inquired Nanna innocently.
"Upon my honor I can hardly say; but if I was placed in better
circumstances--" Nanna dropped her eyelids over their soft tell-tale
orbits; but not so quickly but that Gottlieb detected a ray of hope
gleaming from their deep wells.
"Will you advise me what course to take, when I have obtained a
competency?" continued Gottlieb.
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