Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Part one - IV
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the things again the next day. It would not be so horrid a
second time — nothing more would be difficult. I would give
him everything now. Then he came — and what do you think
he had done?” She laughed amidst the tears. “He had
redeemed the things from the loan-office and pawned them with
his private banker, as he called him, who gave more for them.
“We went about all day together — champagne and all the
rest of it — and I went home with him at night. He played to
me — my God, how he played! I lay on the floor and cried.
Nothing mattered as long as he played like that, and to me
alone. You have not heard him play; if you had, you would
understand me. But afterwards it was awful. We fought like
mad, but I got away at last. Borghild was awake when I came
home. My dress was torn to tatters. ‘You look like a
street-girl,’ she said. I laughed. It was five o’clock.
“I should have given in in the end, you know, if it hadn’t
been for one thing he had said. Sometimes he used to say:
‘You are the only decent girl I have met. There is not a man
who could get round you. I respect you, puss.’ Fancy, he
respected me for refusing to do what he begged and worried me
about constantly. I wanted to give in, for I would have done
anything to please him, but I could not get over my scare; he
was so brutal, and I knew there were others. If only he had not
frightened me so many times, I might have given up the struggle
but then, of course, I should have lost his respect. That
is why I broke with him at last — for wanting me to act in
such a way that he would despise me.”
She nestled close to Jenny, who caressed her.
“Do you love me a little, Jenny?”
“You know I do, darling child.”
“You are so kind. Kiss me once more! Gunnar is kind,
too — and Ahlin. I shall be more careful. I don’t wish him
any harm. Besides, I may marry him, as he is so fond of me.
Ahlin would never be brutal — I know that. Do you think
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