That fair was the event of the year to all the peasants
for miles around. The fair at Overstad, the splendid,
riotous, ruinous fair ; everybody went there in couples ;
it was a monstrosity to remain away. She only wanted
to go one year. She only wanted to see, to have seen,
to be able to talk about the thing with the others, who
talked of it all through the year. Her uncle, unwilling
to accompany her, had always refused to let her go
unattended. " If you want to see it," he said, " get a
lover — ^like the other girls. Ha ! "

As she stood before the cottage door, this summer
esvening, Truda Batsy came by on her way to her own
home, the tavern two hundred yards off. Harmen Keys

1 02



THE FAIR-LOVER

was with her, looking bored. Perhaps the two had been
quarrelling ? Anneke's good little human heart gave
a little leap of pleasure, instantly checked.
" Well ? " said Truda, stopping short. She was vexed
with her ne'er-do-well lover, and her heart was full of
spite. " Anneke, are you going to the fair this year ?
They say it's quite unusually fine."
" Perhaps," replied Anneke boldly.
" Really ? And whom are you going with ? "
" Wouldn't you just like to know ? "
" I shouldn't. I don't care tuppence who goes with
whom, as long as I go with Harmen. But you'll want a
sweetheart, Anneke, unless you take your Uncle Pete."
" Good-night, Truda," said Anneke, turning away.
