CHAPTER IV

ellknow—" Hewasmorestirredthanhehadthoughtpossible.Hewasbecomingalmosteager. "But,"askedIngeborg,exploringthisnewinterestingsituation,"whydoyouwantto?" "Wanttomarryyou?" "Yes." "Because,"saidHerrDremmel,immenselyprompt,"Ihavehadtheextremegoodfortunetofallinlovewithyou." Againshelookedpleased. "AndIdonotaskyou,"hewenton,"toloveme,orwhetheryoudoloveme.Itwouldbepresumptiononmypart,andnot,ifyoudid,verymodestonyours.Thatisthedifferencebetweenamanandawoman.Helovesbeforemarriage,andshedoesnotlovetillafter." "Oh?"saidIngeborg,interested."Andwhatdoeshe—" "Thewoman,"continuedHerrDremmel,"feelsaffectionandesteembeforemarriage,andthemanfeelsaffectionandesteemafter." "Oh,"saidIngeborg,reflecting.Shebegantotearuptuftsofgrass."Itseems—chilly,"shesaid. "Chilly?"heechoed. Helethisstickdrop,andgotupandcameandsatdown,orratherlethimselfdowncarefully,onthegrassbesideher. "Chilly?Doyounotknowthatadecentchillisagreatpreservative?Hotthingsdecay.Frozenthingsdonotlive.Ajustmeasureofchillpreservesthelifeoftheaffections.Itis,byaveryproperdispensationofNature,providedbeforemarriagebythewoman,andafterwardsbytheman.Thebalanceis,inthisway,nicelyheld,andpeaceandharmony,whichnourishbestatalowtemperature,prevail." Shelookedathimandlaughed.TherewasnooneinRedchester,andRedchesterwasallsheknewoflife,intheleastlikeHerrDremmel.Shestretchedherselfintheroomydifference,happy,free,atherease. "ButIcannotbelieve,"burstoutHerrDremmelwithapassionatevigourthatastonishedhimmorethananythinginhiswholelifeasheseizedthehandthatkeptontearingupgrass,"Icannotbelievethatyouwillnotmarryme.Icannotbelievethatyouwillrefuseagoodandlovinghusband,thatyouwillprefertoremainwithyourfatherandsolidifyintoyetonemorefrostbittenvirgin." "Intoawhat?"repeatedIngeborg,struckbythisimageofherselfinthefuture. Shebegantolaugh,thenstopped.Shestare