"I declare it is half-past one, and no dinner put down!" Henrik was glad to find that the worst danger was over.
Mother Kirstine had conjectured that there must be something particular going on between the pair in the kitchen, and that was the reason she had not called Elizabeth.

When the latter now came in, she looked at her inquiringly, and asked if anything had happened.
"The happiest thing of my whole life, aunt," said Elizabeth, coming over to the bed and embracing her impetuously.

She hurried back then to her business in the kitchen.
The old woman looked after her, and nodded her head a couple of times slowly, thoughtfully.

"No--so ?" "He is joking with little Henrik," she said then to herself.

"That is wonderful: I have never heard him laugh before." When they went to dinner in the kitchen Salve left them--he was not hungry--and came in to her.