I took my hat, which was lying on the table, and turned it over and over in my hands, waiting for her to look round. At last I approached her and touched her shoulder. She turned her head, and her tearful eyes gazed in astonishment at my outstretched hand, and at the other that nervously fidgeted with my hat.
"What is this? You are not going?"
"Yes, Minna, I must—it is already—I mean, as you leave to-morrow, I suppose you have a good deal to arrange and pack up."
"Well, it is not to Siberia I am going."
"No more it is, but I must go—in order to"
"It is not true, Harald! But perhaps you are right in going and leaving me to myself, though that is just what I fear, but I must grow accustomed to it.… When are you coming again? "
"I am not coming again."
She jumped up.
"Not coming again? What do you mean by that?… Will you not spend this evening with me?"
"I do not think it would be right, as we are no longer engaged."
"Not engaged? It seems to me we must be still, as long … at any rate nothing has happened so far."
"'Still,' until you perhaps 'break it off with me.' But you must not be obliged to do that, you must never have the feeling that you have severed a pledge. Whatever decision you come to, you tie a new bond. It is I who have broken our engagement, you must feel yourself free."
"Oh, Harald, how sad and bitter it is! Who would have thought of this yesterday, when we exchanged rings?"
