Chapter 89

WILKENS _enters as hurriedly as his figure permits_. WEILER _eating_; FORESTER; SOPHY.

WILKENS (_while entering_).

But what in the world has happened here? Good-day to you all.

SOPHY (_alarmed_).

Happened! But for heaven's sake--has anything happened?

FORESTER.

You immediately lose your head.

WILKENS.

You'll see, you obstinate fellow!

SOPHY.

But what is the meaning of all this?

WILKENS.

How should I know? On the road I meet that crazy John, and he is gesticulating with his arms as if he were striking some one, and points in the direction of the forester's house--

FORESTER.

He was pointing toward the forest; he meant to call attention to the clearing--

WILKENS.

I really was going in another direction, but I thought I'd better see. And immediately I see some one standing absorbed in thought, not far from the house. It's Andrew. You ask him, I say to myself. Well! As he hears me coming he starts up, gives me a wild look, and--is gone. I call after him. Well! It seems he has forgotten his name. I run after him, but he--disappears, as if he had an evil conscience.

SOPHY.

I wonder what that can mean.

FORESTER (_calls out of the window, with authority_).

Andrew!

WILKENS.

There he comes.