said the teacher. He tried to keep her hand as they
walked on, but soon found reason to curse the economy of the old
teacher, who had left so little room for the path that it was
impossible for two to walk abreast.

His indignation grew still greater when the old teacher came to meet
them with a louder laugh than usual, and cried, "Do you know each other
already? Ah, Hedwig, didn't I always tell you that you must marry a
schoolmaster?"

With a great effort he restrained himself from giving vent to the
mortification caused by this rude dallying with the first budding
of so delicate a flower. To his astonishment, Hedwig began, as if
nothing had been said:--"Cousin, you must cut your summer-barley in the
mallet-fields to-morrow: it's dead ripe, and will fall down if you
don't take care."

But little was spoken. Hedwig appeared to be fatigued, and seated
herself on a bench under a tree. The men conversed, our friend
regarding Hedwig all the while with such intensity that she passed her
apron several times across her face, fearing that she had blackened it
in the kitchen while putting the potatoes over the fire. But our
friend's attention was directed to very different matters. He perceived
for the first time a slight cast in Hedwig's left eye: the effect was
by no means unpleasant, but gave the face an interesting air of
shyness which suited very well the style of the features. A fine nose
of regular form, a very small mouth with cherry lips, round,
delicately-glowing cheeks,--all were enough to arrest the delighted
gaze of a young man of twenty-five. At last, after having given a
number of wry answers, he became aware that it was time to go. He took
leave, and Hedwig said, "Good-night, Mr. Teacher."

"Sha'n't I have a shake of the hand for good-night?"

Hedwig quickly put both her hands behind her back.

"In our parts we shake hands without asking: ha, ha!" said the old
teacher.

At this hint our friend whisked round the tree to catch Hedwig's hand;
but she drew them quickly before her. Not having the courage to pass
his arms round her, he ran forward and backward around the tree, until
he stumbled and fell down at Hedwig's feet. His head fell into her lap
and on her hand, and he hastily pressed a warm kiss upon it and called
her his in spirit. Finding him in no haste to get up, Hedwig raised his
head, her hands covering his cheeks, and said, looking around in great
confusion, "Get up: you haven't hurt yourself,