He watches me like a tethered goat." "But you tug at the tether several times a day." "That is not true." "Yes, you do; every time you think of me in secret you tug at it." "Yes, in that way.

But are you so very sure that I think often of you ?" "You would not be sitting here if you did not." "Why, dear me! did you not send word for me to come ?" "But you came because your thoughts drove you here." "Rather because the weather was so fine." "You said a while ago that it was too warm." "To go _up_ hill, yes; but _down_ again ?" "Why did you come up, then ?" "That I might run down again." "Why did you not run down before this ?" "Because I had to rest." "And talk with me about love ?" "It was an easy matter to give you the pleasure of listening." "While the birds sang." "And the others were sleeping." "And the bells rang." "In the shady grove." Here they both saw Marit's grandfather come sauntering out into the yard, and go to the bell-rope to ring the farm people up.

The people came slowly forth from the barns, sheds, and houses, moved sleepily toward their horses and rakes, scattered themselves over the meadow, and presently all was life and work again.

Only the grandfather went in and out of the houses, and finally up on the highest barn-bridge and looked out.

There came running up to him a little boy, whom he must have called.