Page:Pontoppidan - Emanuel, or Children of the Soil (1896).djvu/130

 "Well, then, I don't understand your behaviour," Emanuel answered in the same stand-off manner, although he was beginning to be calmer, and to be a little ashamed of his outburst.

"No, that's just it, sir! that's exac'ly what it is, you don't understand us. We've seen that all along, and we've been heartily sorry for it, I can tell you. And that's why we all thought it would be best to have a talk to you about it."

The sudden gravity with which he said these words, and the quiet self-confidence with which he spoke in the name of the congregation, made Emanuel hesitate. He looked at the weaver with an uncertain glance and said—

"If you really have anything to talk to me about, I am of course at your service, but it seems to me that the opportunity might have been better chosen."

"Look there now, isn't that just what I said, we Skibberup folk are just as awkward as a cat in getting through a chimney! All the same, sir, you'll allow me to tell you that it's not to be wondered at that we were a bit excited by having you here among us. You see, we never could leave off thinkin' of the woman who came to the Friends of the people in these parts, like the Holy Virgin herself; why, her memory lives now amongst us, as our purest an' best."

"I do not understand whom you mean," said Emanuel, looking at him in astonishment.

"Who I mean?" said the weaver, staring at