Ernst, Astrid and I took the bus to Reissa because there was to be a party at Gammelgarden over there. So we hoped for that to begin with, but time passed and people started to gather.

Solveig and we others were sitting by a wall when a dark and a fair boy came and asked us to dance. Torstein had arrived by then and I had shaken hands with him out in the hallway too. After the dance we sat down. Torstein looked at us and suddenly he came across the floor.

He wondered if anyone would move so Torstein could sit but Torstein said, “I am married so I cannot get in between anyone.” Twice he said that he was married.

I was a bit taken aback. Asked if he could have a dance with me later and I said he could. Later I was also sitting there alone. T was out and about, but then Ernst came and stood in front of me. When he left, Torstein came, but then an old man came and asked me to dance. I danced 3-4 dances with him. Asked if he should drive me home. “No,” I said. Asked if I was there with MY MOTHER then. Almost had to laugh.

Meanwhile, that fair dark-haired one I first danced with was going to sit with me. But he saw that the seat was taken. That those who sat there were coming soon. I sat down there and asked if he would meet me this autumn.

“One thing I will tell you, even if I am shy, you are very sweet,” he said. He was going to leave, but sat down again. “You must sit here until I come back,” he said.

I think that dark curly-haired one came and asked me to dance after Torstein had left. There was a break and we went out. That little one, whom Astrid and I could hardly get out of the car after that party inside the house, pinched me in the side several times.

Then Astrid and I were standing outside when Torstein came and wanted us two to go for a walk. Yes, it ended up that way while Gravaun, Almar etc. were staring their eyes out at us. We walked hand in hand. Met some guys and Torstein wanted to borrow matches from them. Wanted us to go and light a bonfire. We walked downwards. Waded in high grass. Had to climb over two fences. Came down to the sea inside a bay. Raced downwards, hand in hand.

We put down some stuff and made a small bonfire. Torstein sat down, but I stood for a bit didn’t know what I should do. He pulled me down and suddenly he threw me on my back and kissed me passionately. I resisted and he asked if it was because he was married. “Yes,” I said. He was terribly passionate and there were more than one kiss.

“Do you know I have grown a bit fond of you,” he said.

“Yeah,” I said, “that is damn well what you say.”

Now he said he wanted to know if I was fond of him. I answered, short and sweet, “NO.”

“Why are you here then and kissing me,” he asked. I was left speechless. “Are you crying,” he asked several times. Why I don’t know.

“Look me in the eyes,” he said when he saw that I was telling the truth. Suddenly, while he was kissing me, he threw himself down. “Forgive me for having lured you into ruin,” he said. Told me that he had a son who was born on the 11th of May and that he was to be baptized now on the 10th of July, but I don’t know what to believe because both Alfhild and Eldrid Berntsen claim that they are not married. Agnes, she was so truthful.

The time was probably 2 when we left. He caught me several times and kissed me. Asked how I would like to be married to him. I answered that I didn’t think I would like to have such an unfaithful man as him. He threw me down into the grass again.

Came up and washed a bit before we got across the river, he talked to two pigs in a pen. When we got up to the road he asked me to walk in front of him. Supposedly had to relieve himself. I walked and was terribly nervous that the others would be the father because the time was almost 3. He came walking after and shouted that I had to wait.

Managed to lure me into his room, too. There he kissed me and said that he was fond of me. Had loosened up a bit then. We were not there for long and I asked him to follow me out.

The party was in full swing still. Solveig and Leiv Olsen were together and Dag Alfhild or sometone else. I came in and that dark fool absolutely wanted to treat me to a sausage. Was a bit clingy. Danced with the blond one. Torstein came and asked if we couldn’t go in and sit down. Went over to a dark corner by a table. Sat there like decent people.

The time was 4 o’clock and now it was supposed to be over. Torstein asked if he couldn’t get a hug. “Sure,” I gave him a kiss on the cheek. He wanted another and I gave him that. Then we left. Had to get ourselves home somehow.

Torstein stood and watched me. And we stood in hiding on the road, the whole gang from here. Torstein came down and we walked to the shore and sat on a stone. Talked about different things. Said he was going to travel home to his wife and child, had gotten such homesickness. Asked if we couldn’t go for a walk.

We walked along the road. Leif came running after and said something secret. We went up on a hill and sat down. And he kissed me long and fervently. Sat there for about half an hour and then we started to walk to the others.

Almar stood there with the motorcycle. He is great. Torstein insisted absolutely that we should come and visit them in Tromsø. Arranged with Almar to get a ride home with him. Some boys absolutely wanted us to come and drink coffee with them and that’s what happened.

Torstein came again and we walked together. A bit stiff at the beginning, but then Torstein came and wanted me to sit on his lap. Though Alf was having such a good time and the same for Solveig and Harald. Turid had also found himself a wild girl. The time was 6:30 and we were to take the bus so we had to go. Leif came and asked Torstein and me if we were engaged. Told us they were going to Rotsundelv on Friday. Then the bus came and we left, sleepy and miserable.

Torstein had taken my hand and said goodbye 10 minutes before. Yes, yes, that is how that Midsummer Eve ended. Have not seen Torstein since and that is probably for the best for both of us. In any case for me.