[Subsection]

Something had happened to Aunt Anne. An icy horror late in the pre-Christmas winter, poor in snow.

Auntie had laughed happily that summer and autumn. Then Per overheard a conversation one evening out in the passage of the Bufast farmhouse. He was shut in so that he could not help hearing; it was impossible to leave. Father and Mother and Åsmund had driven out that day with Goldie and not yet come home. Auntie and her friend had met up on the road, and the strange man had come down with her. Now they were standing in the dark passage.

"You're not in love with me," said Auntie's dear, familiar voice.

Per felt as if slashed with a knife.

"Really?" said the stranger indifferently.

This was icy horror. Dreadful to listen to, unable to move a finger.

"I didn't know you were like that," said Auntie. "Are you a good-for-nothing?"

Per felt furious hatred for this strange man in the dark. The blood pumped hot into his ears.

"No, I'm not in love with you," said the stranger callously. "I can't help it."

"No---" said Auntie.

A long, painful silence.

"But you were in love with me?" said Auntie anxiously.

Silence.

"Weren't you?"

"Oh---I---"

"And you still did it!"

"Oh---"

"Oh, yes, I understand," said Auntie laboriously, her voice hoarse.

Then the way was free; they had gone. Per could go where he wished, but he stayed on the same spot, trembling. The world was a dreadful place. People killed each other. Auntie's voice had sounded as if she were torn apart.

That he did not fall at her feet, that man, and lie there, stone dead! There was no justice in the world.

Per pulled himself together: the icy yard was rumbling and echoing. Goldie had come home with his load. Aunt Anne went to meet them. He could hear her talking calmly to Mother.

Per dreaded meeting her in the lamplight. Then he saw her. She was a little paler than usual, and Mother asked her whether she felt all right?

"Oh, yes."

Then she began to play with Åsmund, lifting him up, holding him on her lap, teasing him noisily. Åsmund laughed happily.

Per sat frozen through and through. What did Auntie look like inside now?

You were powerless. Defenseless against everything that came and crushed you.