He always came up to the parsonage to call, and
was inclined to talk to me about our former schooldays; and gradually
we worked round to Wisi, and talked about her most of the time. Andrew
spoke most eloquently and feelingly on this subject; and, although
everybody else had adopted the name 'Wisi' for Aloise, he never called
her so, but said 'Wiseli' so softly and prettily, that it was very
sweet to hear.
"But one Sunday (we were not quite eighteen years old, Wisi and
I,--mamma was with us that evening) Wisi came in looking very rosy, and
said that she had come to tell us that she was betrothed to a young
workman who had come lately to live in the village, and that they would
soon be married, as he had a good position, and it was arranged that
they could be married in about twelve days. I was so surprised, and so
sorry, that I could not say a word. Neither did my mother speak for a
long time, but looked very much troubled.
"After a time she talked very seriously with Wisi,--told her that it was
foolish in her to have taken up so quickly with a workman of whom she
really could know very little, and especially when there was another who
had sought her for long years, and plainly shown her how much he loved
her; and, at last, she asked her if it could not be broken off, this
engagement,--or, at least, put off for a while, Wisi was still so young,
and ought to remain with her father.
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