Page:Karl Gjellerup - Minna, A novel - 1913.djvu/147

 Altstädter Ziegel-tobacco, climb up and down the mountains, and one more thing, which I dare not mention before Cousin Minna, so long Poland is not lost, even if one has to ram knowledge into the heads of stupid youngsters six hours a day; or, to use a more stylish expression, to work in the noble service of the education of the people. Well, good-morning!"

He disappeared quickly, humming a gay ditty—

"What a funny fellow!" exclaimed the smallest of the girls; "and he called you cousin!"

"The baker's Tinka says that he gives them so many slaps," the eldest one added. "A nice cousin! What a dirty shirt he was wearing!"

"Mother always tells us to say 'chemise.

"Not about that sort, Sophy!"

Minna threw a look, not of the kindest, after the sleeves of the garment mentioned, which shone between the trunks of the trees, and asked with a little annoyance—

"How is it that you are on such intimate terms with my honoured relation?"

I told her about our acquaintance, the reason why I had taken a walk with him, and how my expectations had been rewarded.

"So already in those days you made inquiries about me," she said, shaking her finger, and at the same time smiling quite gaily. "If only I had known that!"

"What then?"

Minna laughed, and having put down her parasol she pointed with it to a shady road which almost seemed to breathe out coolness in the heat of the sun.