Marianne met her, panting under the large bundle of horsehair which she
was carrying on her head. Sally was delighted to see her, for she had
just remembered that she had not given 'Lizebeth's message. She rushed
so quickly toward the old woman and with such force, that the latter
went back some steps and almost lost her balance, and Sally cried out:
"Marianne, you have such nice people in your rooms. Do you talk much
with them? Do you cook for them? Do you buy the things they need? Have
they no maid? Do you make their beds?"

"Gently, gently," said Marianne, who had recovered her balance, "else I
lose my breath. But tell me, how did you get into the people's room? I
hope you know how I am to be found."

Sally told her that she, for the shorter way, had not gone round the
house, where, in the woodshed, a narrow stair went up to Marianne's
small room; but that she had wanted to run in the front way, through the
kitchen, and out the back door; but that she had stood suddenly before
the open door of the room and under the eyes of the lady.

"You must never do that again," Marianne interrupted Sally, raising her
finger warningly. "Do you hear that, Sally? Never do that again. They
are not people into whose home you can rush, as if they were living on
the highway."

"But the lady was quite friendly, Marianne," soothed Sally, "she was not
at all offended."

"That makes no difference, she is always so, she could not be otherwise,
and just on that account, and on account of many other things, do you
hear, Sally? Promise that you never again go that way when you want to