“’Twas shameful mean of them,” says Barbro, taking his part all the time.

But seeing her all submissive and gentle, Axel himself could not be altogether heartless towards her; he agreed that Barbro might have some reason to be angry with him in return for the way he had taken the telegraph business from her father.  “But as for that,” said he, “your father can have the telegraph business again for me; I’ll have no more of it, ’tis but a waste of time.”

“Ay,” says Barbro.

Axel thought for a while, then asked straight out:  “Well, what about it now, would you want to come for the summer and no more?”

“Nay,” says Barbro, “let it be as you please.”

“You mean that, and truly?”

“Ay, just as you please, and I’ll be pleased with the same.  You’ve no call to doubt about me any more.”

“H’m.”

“No, ’tis true.  And I’ve ordered about the banns.”

H’m.  This was not so bad.  Axel lay thinking it over a long time.  If she meant it in earnest this time, and not shameful deceit again, then he’d a woman of his own and help for as long as might be.

“I could get a woman to come from our parts,” said he, “and she’s written saying she’d come.  But then I’d have to pay her fare from America.”

Says Barbro:  “Ho, she’s in America, then?”

“Ay.  Went over last year she did, but doesn’t care to stay.”

“Never mind about her,” says Barbro.  “And what’d become of me then?” says she, and begins to be soft and mournful.

“No.  That’s why I’ve not fixed up all certain with her.”

And after that, Barbro must have something to show in return; she confessed about how she could have taken a lad in Bergen, and he was a carter in a big brewery, a mighty big concern, and a good position.  “And he’ll be sorrowing for me now, I doubt,” says Barbro, and makes a little sob.  “But you know how ’tis, Axel; when there’s two been so much together as you and I, ’tis more than I could ever forget.  And you can forget me as much as you please.”

“What! me?” says Axel.  “Nay, no need to lie there crying for that, my girl, for I’ve never forgot you.”

“Well....”

Barbro feels a deal better after that confession, and says:  “Anyway, paying her fare all the way from America when there’s no need....”  She advises him to have nothing to do with that business; ’twould be over costly, and there was no need.  Barbro seemed resolved to build up his happiness herself.

They came to agreement all round in the course of the night.  ’Twas not as if they were strangers; they had talked over everything before.  Even the necessary marriage ceremony was to take place before St. Olaf’s Day and harvest; they had no need to hide things, and Barbro was now herself most eager to get it done at once.  Axel was not any put out at her eagerness, and it did not make him any way suspicious; far from it, he was flattered and encouraged