isn't much, I know--but I do it fairly
well."

This she was obliged to admit. The dog's distant fury also confirmed the
statement.

As they were taking the short cut up to the house, Joergen began: "Do you
think we should say anything to Mrs. Dawes or to your father about
this?"

"About Uncle Klaus?"

"Yes. It will only distress them. Can't we say that Uncle Klaus asked us
to wait till spring?"

Mary stood still. Such a line of action was not to her mind. But Joergen
continued:

"I know Uncle Klaus better than you do. He will repent soon. He will
certainly not give in to us; but he will make a proposal of his
own--probably what I am asking you to say--that we should wait till
spring."

Mary had already discovered how well informed Joergen was; so she could
not but allow that he was probably better able to judge than she. But
she was unaccustomed to roundabout methods.

"Let me manage it," Joergen said. "I'll spare the old people a
disappointment."

"But what am _I_ to say, then?" asked Mary.

"What is perfectly true. That Uncle Klaus was delighted to hear of our
engagement; but that as times are so bad just now, we shall be obliged
to wait. And this is really the case."

Mary agreed, the more willingly because she thought it considerate of
Joergen to wish to spare the old people. For this he received her best
thanks--and her hand again. He kept hold of it until they reached the
house, and even whilst they mounted the steps. He thought to himself:
"This is the pledge of a kiss in the hall. But I'll take ten!"

He opened the door and let Mary pass in first. Nodding brightly to him
as she passed, she made quickly for the stairs and disappeared up them.
He heard her go into her own room.

Carefully as Joergen chose his words in communicating the result of their
expedition, it was a sad disappointment to the old people. It was
inexplicable to them both, but especially to Mrs. Dawes, who thought the
decision arrived at cruel. Mary was to spend the long winter alone here,
and Joergen in Stockholm. They might possibly see each other for a few
days at Christmas, but that would be all. Curiously enough, the old
people's disappointment reacted upon Joergen. He sat moping like a sick
bird, had nothing to say, hardly answered Mrs. Dawes when she spoke to
him, and presently went off to prepare for his departure next morning.
His leave had expired, and he was going direct to Stockholm.

Mary alone was in good spir