Mogens and William got along
famously and Mogens had to promise that he would come to the
manor-house in the evening. This he did, and later he came almost
every day, but in spite of all the cordial invitations he continued
living at the inn.
Now came a restless period for Mogens. At first Thora's proximity
brought back to life all his sad and gloomy memories. Often he had
suddenly to begin a conversation with one of the others or leave, so
that his emotion might not completely master him. She was not at all
like Camilla, and yet he heard and saw only Camilla. Thora was small,
delicate, and slender, roused easily to laughter, easily to tears, and
easily to enthusiasm. If for a longer time she spoke seriously with
some one, it was not like a drawing near, but rather as if she
disappeared within her own self. If some one explained something to
her or developed an idea, her face, her whole figure expressed the
most intimate trust and now and again, perhaps, also expectancy.
William and his little sister did not treat her quite like a comrade,
but yet not like a stranger either. The uncle and the aunt, the
farm-hands, the maid-servants, and the peasants of the neighborhood
all paid court to her, but very carefully, and almost timidly. In
respect to her they were almost like a wanderer in the forest, who
sees close beside him one of those tiny, graceful song-birds with very
clear eyes and light, captivating movements. He is enraptured by this
tiny, living creature, he would so much like to have it come closer
and closer, but he does not care to move, scarcely to take breath,
lest it may be frightened and fly away.
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