"That is what I call scientific love-making,"
said Arnfinn, looking up from the book with an
expression of subdued amusement.
"But Arnfinn," cried the girl, while the laughter
quickly died out of her face, "does Mr.
Strand know that you are reading this?"
"To be sure he does. And that is just what
to my mind makes the situation so excessively
comical. He has himself no suspicion that this
book contains anything but scientific notes. He
appears to prefer the empiric method in love as
in philosophy. I verily believe that he is
innocently experimenting with himself, with a view
to making some great physiological discovery."
"And so he will, perhaps," rejoined the girl,
the mixture of gayety and grave solicitude
making her face, as her cousin thought, particularly
charming.
"Only not a physiological, but possibly a
psychological one," remarked Arnfinn. "But
listen to this. Here is something rich:
"August 9--Miss Augusta once said something
about the possibility of animals being immortal.
Her eyes shone with a beautiful animation
as she spoke. I am longing to continue
the subject with her. It haunts me the whole
day long. There may be more in the idea than
appears to a superficial observer."
"Oh, how charmingly he understands how to
deceive himself," cried Inga.
"Merely a quid pro quo," said Arnfinn.
"I know what I shall do!"
"And so do I."
"Won't you tell me, please?"
"No."
"Then I sha'n't tell you either.
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