First there were the rooms: the of sidenlampskärmar subdued lighting, cushions and covers, pictures on the walls, the statues on the shelves and on pedestals, naked female figures … They were so naked, that he at first hardly dared look at them, threw only occasionally a quick and timid glance at them, while he blushed.

And so it had been sitting around the table in the lounge with raisins and almonds, chocolates and nuts and punch, which is dipped nuclei. Above the stove lay Rose and Kalle’s big sister on the pillows and looked dreamily into the burnt down the fire glows. Everything was so strange and beautiful still. They spoke in a low voice, as if the yellow lampshades muffled voices. He did not know that it was dull and tired after all the Christmas celebrations. Long moments there was silence, a quiet, comfortable silence. So it was someone who said:

– Rose, play something!

– What should I play?

– Anything except dance music. Something solid! Chopin, said Kalle’s sister.

Rose got up and walked over to the piano, while Donald gallantly and chivalrously lighted candles adorned the screen.

And so began Rose to play. Stellan could not believe his eyes. She played without notes. Rose, as he was with a mixture of contempt and shame allure thought of her breasts would – - – now she sat here and let your fingers run over the keys. He had never heard such music. He did not understand what she played. But it aroused in him something, he could not explain. It was as if he vaggats back and forth with the rhythm of waves on the beach in Särö. After a while he did no longer about trying to figure out what she thought would imagine. He followed this only stirred by a vague longing that rocked him.

When she finished there was silence for a long time. He was quite dry in the throat. The bank manager applauded discreetly. Mrs. Moller said to Mrs. Davidson: