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 glass in one gulp to get courage, and I began nibbling a biscuit. But it stuck in my throat. Meanwhile I talked and talked, but I hardly knew what I said. Grandmama's eyes never left me, and again she nodded thoughtfully. Suddenly she said: ' Well, child, what is the matter with you?'

'Nothing at all, grandmama'; but in the same moment my eyes filled with tears. Grandmama nodded again, and said almost in a sly voice: 'Get up, child, and go over to the chest of drawers. Pull out the top drawer, and take out the green book with numbers on it.'

'Yes, grandmama, I have got it.'

'In that book are some blue pieces of paper, two of them are for you.'

You darling blessed grandmama, you wisest and best of all human creatures.

Now I am on top again. The shoemaker has got his money, and the glover can wait till the first. I ought really to have paid him the five crowns, but Frantz borrowed them from me as soon as I got home. Poor boy, he is hard up as well, and to-day I could not bear to see him miserable.

Altogether, it has been a good day for me. Erik came this evening. He was also in good humour. We had the following conversation : 'Do you know, Julie, you are beginning to have a great success. People are beginning to notice you, and think you lovely.'

'Indeed, and may I ask who do you mean by people?'