Part 19 (1/2)

Meantime Malla Trap had come to the conclusion that she might as well take up the business in hand with Holm himself at once; it would have to be done sooner or later.

She went up to the drawing-room, and told the maid to go down and ask if Mr. Holm could spare a few minutes.

Holm was somewhat surprised at the message; Malla Trap did not often come round like this of her own accord in the middle of the week.

”Well, my dear Miss Trap, is there anything special the matter since we have the pleasure of seeing you to-day? Or were you feeling lonely, perhaps?”

”Lonely enough I am at times, Knut Holm.”

”Why, yes, I suppose--when one is all by oneself--er--one feels that way now and then. I know myself I often feel the want of company, someone to confide in----”

”Ah, but you've memories, Knut Holm, happy memories.”

”That's true--but even then--it's apt to be dull all the same in the long-run, with nothing but memories.”

”I hear you are thinking of marrying again.”

”And who's been kind enough to tell you that?”

”Oh, I had it from a reliable source. But honestly, Knut Holm, I think you will do well to reflect before you do.”

”I've put in quite enough reflection over it already, my dear Malla Trap, worked it out all round. I know it means a lot of extra expense and bother, with new arrangements and all that, but seeing I can't reasonably expect to live more than another twenty years or so, I fancy there'll be enough to manage it.”

”So that's what you call working it out, is it? Working out sums of money! I thought you were a man of loftier ideals than that.”

”I was, in my younger days, Malla Trap. Do you remember the time when we two were fond of each other?”

”I don't think I've forgotten it.”

”We were as good as engaged, weren't we?”

”I had your promise, Knut Holm, and I trusted you. I waited and waited, but you never came.”

”Yes, it was a pity, I know. But, you see, your father was so furious when he heard about it, and treated me in such a manner, that I simply couldn't put up with it. And then, afterwards, there were those affairs with Maggie and Mrs. Gronlund--but I'm sure I don't know what we want to go dragging up all that for. We've got along quietly and comfortably now together these many years; let bygones be bygones, say I.”

”Oh, I've forgiven you everything long ago. But I haven't forgotten, and I've my own reasons for reminding you of it all to-day for the first and last time. So go on.”

Holm walked up and down restlessly, wondering what Malla Trap could have in mind. It did not occur to him for the moment that she might be acting on William's behalf, or he might have been less frank. As it was, he went on with a touch of forced gaiety:

”Well, well, my dear Malla Trap, if you must have the old story set out in detail, don't mind me. I'll tell you all about it. I had to marry Maggie, you see; as a gentleman I could do nothing else. And as for Mrs. Gronlund, why, seeing she wouldn't give up the boy, I had to take her as well. Altogether, you see, it's been the boy's fault all along. If it hadn't been for him, you and I might have fixed things up after all.”

”Best as it was, I dare say. But I ask you now, for the sake of our old friends.h.i.+p, do not make another woman unhappy.”

”But, my dear soul, Maggie and Mrs. Gronlund were as happy as could be. I really think I've a sort of gift for making women happy, when I love them.”

”Ha, ha! Excuse my laughing, but really, Knut Holm, I can't help it.

You loved me once, or so you said, at least.”

”Oh, we were only children then.”