about noon
So I walked on behind . It was a couple of miles or more ; the last part of the way I caught sight of Frøken Elisabeth on ahead now and again , but I took care not to come up close . Once she looked round , and at that I made myself utterly small , and kept to the fringe of the wood . Frøken Elisabeth stayed behind with some girl friend after she had done her shopping ; I carried the things back to the vicarage , getting in about noon , and was asked in to dinner in the kitchen . The house seemed deserted . Harald was away , the maids were wringing clothes , only Oline was busy in the kitchen . After dinner , I went upstairs , and started sawing in the passage .