Part 7 (1/2)
”But I might remain a peasant all the same if I stayed there.”
”Of that you can't judge.”
”I've always worn my peasant's dress.”
”Clothes have nothing to do with it.”
”I've spun, and woven, and done cooking.”
”Neither is _that_ the thing.”
”I can speak just as you and mother speak.”
”It's not that either.”
”Well, then, I really don't know what it is,” the girl said, laughing.
”Time will show; but I'm afraid you've already got too many thoughts.”
”Thoughts, thoughts! so you always say; I have no thoughts;” and she wept.
”Ah, you're a wind-mill, that you are.”
”The Clergyman never said that.”
”No; but now _I_ say it.”
”Wind-mill? who ever heard such a thing? I won't be a wind-mill.”
”What _will_ you be then?”
”What will I be? who ever heard of such a thing? nothing, I will be.”
”Well, be nothing, then.”
Now the girl laughed; but after a while she said gravely, ”It's wrong of you to say I'm nothing.”
”Dear me, when you said so yourself!”
”Nay; I won't be nothing.”
”Well, then, be everything.”
Again she laughed; but after a while she said in a sad tone, ”The Clergyman never used to make a fool of me in this way.”
”No; but he _did_ make a fool of you.”
”The Clergyman? well, you've never been so kind to me as he was.”
”No; and if I had I should have spoiled you.”