But I was troubled, as I am sometimes, without really
knowing the cause."
"Is there no cause, then?" inquired Nanna.
"I can say that there is or is not a cause, and therefore shall remain
silent."
"Then remain silent, dear Magde, let us speak no further on the
subject," said Nanna quickly, for she was burning with impatience to
visit the spring.
She longed to discover by experience whether it was really so dangerous
for a woman to walk out alone.
Until the day before, it had not been dangerous, for no one had
forbidden her the free enjoyment of God's beautiful earth, and neither
had her modesty ever been insulted. On any other occasion, Nanna would
have been influenced not only by curiosity, but by a far purer feeling,
namely, sympathy for Magde's sorrows,--for she dearly loved her
sister-in-law,--and would have asked an explanation of matters which she
at present was anxious to avoid.
Magde was silent.
Nanna stepped over the door sill.
But stern fate compelled her to turn back a second time, for the moment
that Magde turned to pass into the house, old Mr.
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