is very kind-hearted. Dear, darling aunt--

Leonarda. Get up! It is silly to lie there like that. Where did you
learn that trick?

Aagot (getting up). I am sure I don't know. But you frighten me so.
(Cries.)

Leonarda. I can't help that. You frightened me first, you know, child.

Aagot. Yes, but it is all quite different from what you think, aunt.
He is no longer our enemy. He has reproached himself so genuinely for
treating you as he did--it is perfectly true, aunt. We all heard him say
so. He said so first to other people, so that it should come round to
me; and then I heard him saying so to them; and eventually he told me
so, in so many words.

Leonarda. Why did you not write and tell me?

Aagot. Because you are not like other people, aunt! If I had as much
as mentioned he was there, you would have told me to come home again at
once. You aren't like others, you know.

Leonarda. But how in the world did it come about that you--?

Aagot. You know, dear, that if any one sings _your_ praises, that is
enough to make me their friend at once. And when, to crown all, this man
did it who had behaved so unjustly to you, you can well believe that I
went about singing for joy all day. That was the beginning of it--

Leonarda. Yes, tell me the whole story.

Aagot. That would be simply impossible, aunt! It would take me
days!--But I can tell you this, that I had no idea what it was that was
upsetting my nerves in such a manner.

Leonarda. If you felt like that, why did you not come away?

Aagot. That was just what I did! But that was also just what made the
whole thing happen!

Leonarda. How? Try and tell me a little more calmly and consecutively!

Aagot. Thank you, aunt! It is good of you to listen to me! Good heavens,
how I--. (Bursts into tears.)

Leonarda. There--there! Tell me all about it from beginning to end.

Aagot. Yes--I was quite feverish for about a week--I thought I was
ill--and the others kept asking what was the matter with me. And really
I didn't know. There is a whole heap of things I could tell you about
those few days--but you wouldn't be able to understand.

Leonarda. Yes, I should.

Aagot. No, you couldn't possibly! I can't, either. I was so wretched
then--and now I am so happy--

Leonarda. Well, tell me about it another time. But how did things come
to a head?

Aagot. He spoke to me--straight out!

Leonarda. Proposed to you?

Aagot. Yes.--Oh, I feel I am blushing again at the very