In God's Way

ghts re

BEST

D FREDE

EMEM

ast been her

own and meet t

no room,

ts of thee

e from by-

deeds of fait

to my home in

s as I wrot

eye would

ne then, th

lently grew

ere the boo

heart, thy s

thy name impart

Septembe

ODUC

rammar school of Molde, Bj?rnson was an active, tiresome, and industrious boy; in whom, at about the age of fifteen, a feeling for literature was suddenly awakened, by the reading of Wergeland's poem, The English Pilot. At seventeen, he was sent to a high school at Christiania, and in 1852 he entered the university. At the age of twenty he began to write dramas in verse, none of which have seen the light, and a little later he began to live by journalism in the capital. His early career was one of struggle against privation and disappointment. It was not until 1857 that Bj?rnson made his literary debut, with a little historic drama, called Between the Battles, and with a novel, Synn?ve Solbakken, of unprecedent

than his early mountain romances. Bj?rnson had been touched by the "novel of experience," and had been troubled by it. Captain Mansana, a story of the Italian war, was slight in character. Everything seemed to point to the abandonment of prose fiction by Bj?rnson, in favour of the drama, in which he had made and was still making a series of paradoxical successes. Quite in recent years, however, Bj?rnson ha

station of enmity to the throne, and since that time the poet has been driven further and further into opposition to the existing Sovereign of Sweden and Norway. But, fortunately for literature, no revolution has as yet given him that opportunity which so many advanced Norwegians yet hope may be placed in his way, of helping to administer the government of his country upon a Republican basis. He is probably able to

ND G

OOL

OD'S

fourteen, awestruck. He looked toward the west, out across the sea; he looked toward the east, over t

many ships had been driven ashore, and many had sunk. The telegraph brought news of wrecks all along the coast, and close by here th

storm had abated, the gusts of wind ceased, all was

t sea-waves, higher than houses, came rolling up in endless lines with foam-white crests and a crashing fall; the

r it seemed as though the great white sea-monsters of the old legends were trying to land just at that very spot

d dash the spray so high; but now it had reached the top thoug

ome golden realm of peace; and all the deep sea-waves, with their white crests rolling up from as far a

nd snowy coast; all that could be seen of the town from the hill-side dwindled away and seemed to grow less and less every time the boy turned to look inland. But each time he looked he felt himself grow

ing away. The roar from down below, where the sea-monsters were trying

doing? Or was he going to do something wrong? Once b

rushed themselves and crushing others, and especially when night came on and shrouded everything in darkness, and no lantern even could keep alight, ... the crashing fall of the waves was heard but not seen, shouts of command, screamings and great lamentations; and in the streets such terror, roofs were lifted right off, houses shook, windows rattled, stones hurled about, and the distant screams of those trying to escape only added to the fright, ... then, indeed, were many who remembered the words of the preacher; God help and save us, surely the last day has come and the stars are about to fall. The children especially were frighte

og or cat with them--it was company for them, and they would die together. But it happened so

the harbour, and then back home again. No less than three times had his father been after him, caught him and locked him in, but he always managed to get out again. Now this was not the sort of thing that could h

ntil day dawned once more, and the sun was as bright as

. Not only by night in evil dreams, but by day when one fancies one's self safest, it lurks in our imagination, ready to seiz

foolish as to venture up there, and alone, too! He stood like one paralysed, he dared not move one foot forward, it might be noticed, and he was surrounded by enemies. He whispered a prayer to his dead mother that if th

ntly and cautiously, half afraid that those invisible powers which were looking out for him might suspect some evil. Softly he crept away from the edge of the precipice and drew nearer to the downward path. He was not going to run away, oh dear no! He was not even sure that he would go down; he might just try; certainly he would gladly come again. But the descent just here was dangerous, and real

umping, bounding like an India-rubber ball from one piece of rock to another, till suddenly he saw a pointed cap sticking up so far down below him that he could only just distinguish it. In an instant he came to a dead stop! His terror and flight, all he had just gone through vanished; no

d him; slowly he jogged along as if enjoying his liberty and solitude: soon

lothes, and a woollen scarf around his neck; his hands were encased in thick, knitted gloves; he carried one

nd where this meeting would take place, and when the important moment would arrive when Ole Tuft, confronted by one of the sc

of the most popular lay preachers in all the West country, and had early determined that his son should be a clergyman, that was why

d daughter, Josephine Kallem, Edward's sister; Ole and she were always so much together. Sometimes the other lads would see him go in there, but never come out again, and yet they always found Josephine alone when they went in to look for him; for they posted out sentinels, and the whole search was carried on most methodically. They could track him as far as to the school-yard but no farther--surely he could not have disappear

offered it as a reward to that one of his school-fellows who could find out where Ole Tuft went to, and what he did in the afternoons and evenings. This seemed a very enticing offer to Edward Kallem; he had always lived in Spain until about a year

until he reached the path; t

cause they had a slight squint. His forehead was sharp and short, the light brown hair closely cropped around it. There was an extraordinary mobility about him which made one fe

he startled the boy who was climbing up--he nearly dropped hi

like one tu

quickly changed his box from right to left hand, and held it behind him; it was impossible for Edw

shan't

bey? Then I'll jus

oh

ut I will

you w

d he pushed past a

if only you'll

? Are you out o

you must

ive me the box or I'm away

about it?" And Ole's

't pro

tell, E

promise. Out with

hing wrong. Do y

ng, I suppose you can giv

him and began hesitatingly: "I go down there to--to--oh, you know--to walk

eated Edward, half uneasi

r had asked, "What are the best kind of roads or ways?" The answer in th

ter, "what ways arc the

instant the whole class was wide awake

nd walking in the ways of God! From sheer curiosity he forgot that he was a member of the moral police force, and blurt

e one of all his school-fellows whom Ole secretly admired the most. The peasant boy suffered much from the town boys' superior brightness and sharpness, and bot

than it was really worth; it had about it a sunny glow of gracious condescension. This coaxing, kindly questioning, coming from the bird of prey (though its beak only was visible), together with the bright, shining eyes, made Ole give in. As soon as Edward changed his tactics and asked innocently to be a

of the box; before he raised i

you

ible lay several unbound books; he took up a few of them, turned them over and put them back again; they were religious tracts. He laid down the Bible again

the Bible to the people

"Yes, I do, someti

you re

but it is not ofte

and visit

just the sic

hat can you

them as we

he was capable of. After a pause he went on. "Bu

m whenever they need it; I

e the

elves, and often in the daytime they are left quite alone when every one is out at work and the children are at school. So when I come in the aftern

ave you got money to bu

oney for me, and so

" exclaimed

rhaps I ought no

om?" asked Edward, with all an e

t, then answered decidedly an

m fa

erefore his father must approve of what Ole did, and that took away all doubt from Edward's mind. Ole could feel how entirely he changed his view of the matter; he could see it, too, in his

you c

end a messenger rowing across to the apothecary; for the doctor may h

ou time to

h work at the Schultzes, and I

ell, until he, too, remembered that they oug

deep in thought; the other

t was like the low murmur of a distant crowd, but high above their heads. They felt it gettin

k of doing this?" asked

ard and forward from one hand to the other;

eard everything, and that what remained to

he asked, as though i

pt on changing his box from han

trying to persuade him, to which Ole ha

is nothin

d, after a pause, "It is rather som

somethin

grandest thing i

t can yo

ot tell, not to a living soul--

is it,

g to be a

ssion

saw that Edward was almost speechless; so he made haste to tell him all sorts of things about cyclo

sts and poisonous snakes?" Edward

ts; "they are such dreadful heathens, and cruel and ugly and wicked into the

t sort of thing here? They are not h

, but just be ready to do all sorts of hard work. They are often so suspicious when they are ill and f

t y

rience. And it says, too, that the art of winning people is a very difficult one, but hardest of all it is to win them for the kingdom of God, and that we ought to strive to do it from our childhood upward; that is what the book says, and I mean to do it. For to be a m

notony of the roar seemed in keeping with the star-spangled twilight. An invisible wave of sympathy passed between the lads, and seemed to link them together. There was no one Ole was so anxious should think well of him as his friend here with his jaunty fur cap; while Edward was thinking all the time how much better Ole was than he; for he knew quite well that he was far from good, and indeed he was told of it

, and now the muddy snow was stiffening into ice as night came on. The lanterns, few and far between, hung in the middle of the streets, on ropes stretched across from opposite houses; they were made to be hoisted up and down. They had been badly cleaned and burned dimly. Here and there one o

woman, but much given to drink, and on Saturday evenings the school-boys always had great fun with her, when she stood leaning up against a wall, abusing them roundly wit

eked Edward. "Do you supp

not so loud," implored Ole, redde

per: "Do you think anyone

h road to do so," whispere

o believe that," and he s

know she fell on the ice th

I know

pigeon,' and 'dear child;' for I have taken care of her, and got clothes and food for her, and bedclothes too, and have done much for her that was not at all pleasant; that I have. And yet it was she who wanted to beat me the other evening. I was going to help

to Ma

on the Mount, and

hen did she u

f it. But I don't think she cried on account of what was i

was heard over from the backyard, and in the far distance a ste

e say a

t the most wretched and miserable whom God wanted. But she seemed not to hear that at all.

o loud that again Ole had to check h

l of good in Lars. He goes there every evening to see what he can do for her. This even

ad to her mo

. "Then I spoke to her and said I could not believe that, and that I would try and pray. 'Oh,' said she, 'there's not much use in that;' but when I began to say 'Our Father,' she became p

said your pray

me to go. But you see, it did some good

clear that his admiration had recei

I

single master can often keep the pupils to his own way of thinking, just as it may depend on one or several of the boys whether there is a chivalrous spirit among them or the opposite, a spirit of obedience or one of rebellion; as a

s at fault, that he could choose what lessons he liked, and could come and go whenever he pleased; he did his lessons, too, mostly alone. He had a library, the shelves of which had long since covered the walls and now stood out upon the floor; there was one long shelf on each side of the sofa; it was so much talked about that the smaller boys were allowed to go up and look at it all. And there, in the middle,

ominent and had something at once greedy and inquiring about them. It was the same with his well-made figure; the effect would have been good but that he stooped so much,

y of all the great families in the whole country and in foreign countries as well; his greatest delight in life was to repeat these stories, especially when they were scandalous ones, and to sit listening greedily for new ones. If the masters had only known how the air of the school

rd came in that evening to tell him that he knew now where Ole went to and what he did with himself; so now he expected to

ass equally so, but not till then did Edward tell his news-

t be something more under it all; peasant boys, he said, were always so cunning, and to prove it he began telling some rather good stories from school. Edward did not at all relish this everlasting doubting, and to cut the matter short (for

started up from his seat and asked

es cautiously around. "Lie" was a strange word to use; might

his getting the reward, but not a word more. He got up from his seat again. If An

arish doctor and his wife had been to see his mother yesterday, and someone had asked after Martha from the docks, who had not been seen for so long, whether she was still laid up from her fall in the winter? Yes, she was still laid u

it directly; he suggested that perhaps M

she

swallowed up himself. But if there is a thing that schoolboys cannot stand it is to be thought too confiding and innocent; he hastened to free himself

eedily drank it in, but he closed them at once, and was seized wit

chorus and drank up the rest of the beer. All that was pleasant and amusing in Anders showed itself when he laughed, although his laugh ha

to laugh, and his wounded pride was satisfied; but Ole's trusting eyes seemed to meet him everywhere, as soon as he got out in the air. He tried to put

ecious property; he longed for the afternoon to be able to read it. In school he stumbled through his lessons one by one, for he had learned nothing, and on Saturdays there was always so much. He wo

is head to tell; but at that very moment he caught sight of a monster steamer, a wreck, coming slowly in between the two piers, and all the people running by said there had never been so large a ship in the harbour before. She dragged along, hard

's belly, the very house shook; first came one short, sharp yell, the first-comer's shout of delight; then a screaming of mingled voices high and low, some cracked and breaking ones toning down the who

ossed about and dashed from one side, and tossed and dashed back again to the other; but he had an object in view; he would try cautiousl

he felt a pleasurable satisfaction in knowing that he could quiet this uproar just with three or four words which he would whisper in th

bigger of the two was trying to knock down the other, using his feet freely for many a kick. Ole's heavy boots swung round, t

head down to the boy

Ole Tuft does i

rub

I do

ound i

rd Ka

he got the book?" aske

urse h

So Edward Kal

, a sixth, all rushed away, crying out: "Edward Kallem has won the prize, lads! Anders Hegge knows what Ole Tuft does in the eveni

wood-stack? why were they all running there? They crowded round Anders, and climbed up on the wood as many of them as could find room. "What's the matter?" "Edward Kallem has

ent to and what he did; how he changed the straw in Martha's bed, moved and lifted her, cooked for her, and fetched medicine for her from the apothecary. Then he told them why Ole did all this; he wished to be a missionary, and was pract

hing they could not quite make out. As nobody laughed, Anders continued. And what made Ole do all this? Because he was ambitious and wanted to become an apostle, which was more than to be either king, emperor, or pope; Ole had told Edward Kallem that himself. But, in order to become an apostle, he had to find out "God's ways," and tho

oll. Just as the noise on the stairs and along the passages had ceased, the last stray loiterer gone in, the last door been shut--complete quiet suddenly--then, through this empty silence, he heard a bell, ding-dong, and in fancy saw himself at the little pine-wood church by the shore. How they creaked and rustled in the wind, those long-armed, leafless birches by the wall, and the ancient fir-tree at the gate; the clanging of t

he would have to leave the town; in a couple of hours it would be known everywhere, they would all be asking questions, and staring and laughing at him. And now, t

her everything; and not out by the big gates and down the principal street, for there were so many people who would see how he was crying. No, he must make hi

the top of that, so that nobody might suspect anything; it had been quite a piece of work for the children. It was not very light, certainly, but then that made it all the cosier. Here she would tell him tales of Spain, and he would tell her of missionaries' adventures; she told of bull-fights, but he of fights with tigers, lions, and snakes, of terrible cyclones and water-spouts, of savage monkeys and man-eaters. And by degrees his stories had eclipsed hers; they were more exciting, and then there was an object in them; she had only her recollections to look back to, but he threw himself heart and soul into all his imagination could scrape together. He drew such vivid, glowing pictures, till at last she was fascinated too! At first she felt her way with a few cautious questions as to whether women could be missionaries too? But he did not know; he thought it was only work for men, though they might possibly be allowed to be missionaries' wives. Then she as

rees amid swarms of black children, all so good and clean and converted, and there were tame tiger-cubs playing on the sand at their feet; frie

last time to say farewell

f good behaviour and manners; he thought she was reminding him of that everlasting use of the pocket-handkerchief, so he began alternately to blow his nose and to cry. She seized hold of the back of his neck with one of her small but coarse girl's hands, with the other she grasped his hands with the handkerchief and forced it right into his mouth, at the same time shaking her dark-haired head warningly in his face. Then it dawned upon him! And it was high time too; for he heard his name called down in the yard, again and again on all sides. His whole body shook and trembled with his efforts to stifle his sobs; but he kept them down bravely, waiting till the boy who had been sent down to look for him had gone rushing back again. He began anew: "I ... want to ... go ... home," and a fresh burst of tears followed, he couldn't help it. So he gave her back her pocket-handkerchief with a nod and got up to pull away the wood in fro

seen at the apothecary's without her hat; she asked after her brother, first down in the shop where she knew he liked to be, but he was not there and he had not been in either to leave his bundle of books. Upstairs she went through all the rooms

d the wreck, the great green monster lying there groaning under the pumps. From afar she could see E

ge; they did not think much of it, though, and forgot her quickly. But Edward felt a sharp pang; something out of the common must have happened, and it did not take him long to get down from the captain's bridge on to the deck, across the deck

farther bench. Here she unfastened the other pair of oars and sat down behind him. He did not like to question her

you done to

then red; he too

chool; he has gone home, and h

he was speaking the truth. He plunged the oars into the

hurry after him even if you have to walk all the way to Store Tuft; if you don't, it will b

hold your

t once and bring him home with you again, I'll

n wretch with all your go

e, every one of them; and he poor fellow, he cried as if his heart would break, and then ran righ

you see I am rowing

ouble each time to take a longer pull at the oars. Without another wor

the boat bumping against it, he said: "I have had no lunch to-day, and now I shall ge

e laid down her oars and look

he rushed up the street. Shortly af

I

d; it was mild, though, and had begun to thaw again; the roads were in a fearful state with snow slus

ng way! However, even that did not matter as he would soon overtake Ole, he walked so much quicker and lighter than he did, and then he was hurrying tremendously. As soon as he reached him he would put things right again; not for

on for another quarter along the most dreadful roads, his feet dripping wet, now perspiring, now cold, then half-dry, then wet again--it was threatening rain and the

ide of these ridges lay a cove, and in every cove one or more farmyards and a brook or stream, but no people. So many times had the boy now struggled up these stony hills and gone so far along that he could see across the next field without distinguishing Ole on the high road, in fact without seeing anyone, so he began to think that he would have to trudge on, hungry and tired as he was, the whole way to Store Tuft. It was nearly a mile distant; that would keep him away so long that his father would hear of his absence, and then it wou

! And he broke into a Spanish ditty and sang verse upon verse till he became quite breathless and was obliged to slacken his pace, but t

with them. Had there been a landslip anywhere? Or was it a wreck from yesterday's storm? Well, it was all the same to him. Just as he was crossing over the next ridge which jutted out into the bay, he caught sight for the first time of Ole's f

g over the top peering down at him. When at last he arrived there, he felt as if he were the tiniest little ant in a wood; if only all would keep still, or at least no one swoop down upon him and seize him by the neck, or drop down suddenly before him, or behind him, or begin to puff and blow at him.... He walked on with stiff eyes, like one walking in his sleep, the gnarled and crooked roots of the fir-trees stretched along the banks, they seemed as though alive, but he pretended not to notice them. High up in the air far in front of him a bird was winging its way toward the town he came from. Ah, if he might but mount that bird! He could see the town distinctly and the ships in the harbour; he could hear the cheery heave-a-hoy songs and the rattling of anchor chains, the rolling of barrels along the wharf, and the merry screams of laughter and the shouts of command.... Yes, he could even hear those, and the whistle of a steamer! and then another, a shrill one

great take. But it was Saturday evening, and it was necessary to net the herrings before Sunday ev

ith horses still harnessed, others with the horses taken out, crowds of dogs; children everywhere, and great laughter and noise. Out in the bay the boats were round t

rose up solitary and mysterious through the rainy mist; the steamers came steaming in, puffing and whistling as if for a wager; they belonged to rival companies. Men were stamping about in fishermen's boots and in oilskin clothes over their ordi

with the rain. They stared a great deal at him, the delicate looking town boy in the midst of this no

his father. He was standing there bargaining, tall and thin, and dressed in oilskin from top to toe; he had evi

rt!" shouted the

ose, thin black beard, and three of his upper teeth missing, knew him at once and la

abusive, which took up time, when he turned again to speak to the boy he s

on the road that he remembered he was running just in the direction his father wa

it was heavy walking, and raining fast. So his song gradually died away until it stopped. Then the boy's thoughts went back to something he had lately read in the papers about a large coal mine in England that had been inundated with water. The miners tried to escape as quickly as possible, the horses after them, down in the mine they could not help themselves, poor creatures! One boy who had escaped told the others about a horse that had neighed and whinnied so hopelessly; the boy climbed to the top, but not the horse.... Edward could distinctly see what the horse must have looked like, its head, the beautiful shining eyes, he heard its breathing, its whinnying and felt

too; he could no longer walk so

he cold. And his feet! But it would never do to think about them or they got worse directly; hark, how the water sopped in his boots! He amused himself by putting his feet forward cross ways, and went on from right to left, from left to right till he got tired of that too. Harder and harder was the struggle, more and more tedious, again he had to

off; and if Ole came back again then she surely would do that, she must take his part. They could try, too, to make the apothecar

his father used in the winter as stirrups stood out on each side of the

r forward over the horse's neck, till he had to lean with both hands on the pommel of the saddle. Was that drenched, dripping boy, with the wisp of fur on his head, standing terrified and pale as a ghost in the middle of the road-

vil are you

in a thick mist of unpleasant vapours from its steaming body. Edward dared neither move nor answer.

th the bridle round his left arm and the wh

Why are you here! Why the

fter him; mechanically, too, the boy raised his right arm to shiel

re you g

Ole

o do there? Hey? Is O

es

you going

oing to

el

g his

t for? What for? Hey?"

riedly: "He won't com

been teasing him? Hey

es

was it? Hey

t----" here

el

e----" and the b

el

es to visit

others? Hey? Ca

the lad's arms swung up and down, keeping time with the whip, as if uncer

l!" shouted

d at the bridle as nearly to upset its master. Edward could not resist the comical side of this most welcome deliverance and he burst into a roar of laughter. But he was so startled at hearing himself laugh

is temper, though, quieted the horse, and mounted again. "Come along," sa

to settle when we get there

afe distance in front of the horse. He kept at the same distance

n--he kept putting them in his mouth--and although he was dripping wet; his fur cap was sticking to his head like a washed-out rag. The man in gray sat comfortably on his horse, in warm, waterproof clothes, his whip in hi

ppened not very long before this affair with the boy. Up to that time they had all lived abroad, Kallem leading a quiet retired life with his wife, his business, sport, and his silent books (he was a great reader), and had never been worried or annoyed. H

d made him mad; he himself thought that the air of Spain was too warm; he was anxious to leave, and longed for home. The head of the firm agreed at once. It w

mself, and indeed the second time too, and unfortunately also the third, fourth, fifth, sixth time; it was always th

e in this part of the world were more given to complaining; of course Kallem could know nothing about that, for he was a solitary man. But he knew that his son was the cleverest lad in all the school; one master after the other came and assured him of that; he knew that nothing was lacking in the boy, neither heart

spoilt the peace of his father's life. Not only had he made him feel inwardly so unsafe and uncertain, but at ti

out of his shameful fright, scolded him and tried to make it clear to him by all manner of natural history proofs that the prophecy about the end of the world was all a lie, an inve

permission. First he goes and ill-treats the best lad in the school, a little fellow whom Kallem was really fond of and had

Deuce take the boy, if he isn't laugh

uge monster all twisted and shapeless.... Hurriedly the boy began thinking of other things. He threw himself into the coal-mine in England that had been inundated, and tried to conjure up before him the horse that had neighed so piteously after

he sound seemed to creep down the b

oisily by on the other side where the corn and saw-mills lay; the islands outside and the two arms of land on either side shut in the bay so completely that the water there w

ing came over the boy, and the thought of a warm room and dry clothes, and the remembrance of his own mother and of their home in Spain n

the farm with f

o-storied wooden house, painted red, with white window-sills. They

buildings were quite new, and lay at right angles with the barn, wood-house, and other buildings in the middle. A herd of goats stood in th

eir eyes wide open, ears standing up stiff, with the last bite immovable in their mouths, inquisitive to the last degree.

y inside the yard, and stood staring at the barn roof, which was broken up and being renewed, but there were no workmen

er was tying up his old hack to one of the grinding stones which stood up

so low that they could see right through the little room which had windows on the other side, and through that again into the other room. There sat Ole in a huge shirt that reached down to his feet, in front of the hearth with his legs up; his mother stood beside him, bending over some pots and pans. Edward had not time to see more; he stepped over the stone and into the passage, where he was met by a strong smell

er fair hair was puffed out down her cheeks and made her face seem long. She turned from her pots and pans toward the two arrivals, whom she knew both. It was a grave but friendly face. She seemed afraid and uncertain. Just at first she did not let her eyes rest on either of them. Ole's

venly and cheerily as if there had never before been anything but peace in that room. Outside he saw the kittens in the sledge, the one inside sticking its paw out through the railing, and the outside one pushing its paw in; and then he saw Ole's face just in front of him. He was smiling, was Ol

k them to sit down, or something similar, the father began. He presumed that she knew now what had happened, hey? The boy had come to beg pardon and t

. She was quite frightened, and Ole turne

eating! Beg pardon fir

ked at his mother: "Mother, dear!" said he. He could not get out another wo

the father, and the

r dear!" sh

his fright Edward rushed to Ole's mother with outstretched hand; she did not take it, but Ole began to yell. So much sympathy was too much for poor Edward; he too began to roar, as he dashed r

at the door, which he left wide open behind him. They saw the goats fly on all sides, and the boy into the s

reamed his father from the win

cat the lad ran up the rafters to the ridge of the roof and along that, balancing himself a

e! Come away from there, and at once! Come down, you young wretch!" He ran

f! I shall jump righ

take him! Will

ou'll not

't pro

and away crept the boy fa

you wretch! O

ave you

promising. Come

't pull my h

! You'll only

r and won't beat me, a

tly! Look, now you're slipping!

u keep to what

he threatened up with his whip. "Y

ay I stay here till tom

anything till

won't? al

el; oh, you mis

agree,

t away from the outer edge a

ust as well if you we

e to do that. Never. I m

ittle way back into the yard. And he kept his distance, although his father wished to speak to him and assured him he would not har

er and laughed as though many days had gone by since that happened which we have just witnessed. Everything Edward did Ole did after him; they laughed until at last the quiet, gentle mother was obliged to laugh too; there was no end to all that Edward hit upon. They were to put on those long stockings so that they might sit at table and eat their dinner without feeling too cold; at table

rther and farther, or rather it was as if shutters were put up before and all light in it extinguished. And then she began, as though from afar, a long, long grace, in a low monotonous voice, as if she were talking quietly with someone bu

he did not understand her and her mumbling. He sat very quiet for some time after. Ole did not speak either; all the time whil

till the evening? No, they said, this was dinner and supper in one. They were to sleep together in the servant's room, which was u

would rather be alon

began to talk. Ole told how the boys had treated him and Edward promised that he would give that boy such a thrashing--yes, even if it were Anders Hegge himself--if he would not hold hi

him that she had behaved splendidly that day. He described her as she came rowing out in search of him.

t thing to go off on wild adventures when one had enough to do here at home? Ole should be a clergyman a

ch, just as his father and the apothecary were and play chess together as those two did. And they would have a carriage for high days and holidays, and each harness his own hor

r that she was to be with them. And Ole thought this showed so much tact on Edward's part and was very grateful

lergyman and the other a doctor, and they were to live together

as the men coming home from the herring-fishing

O

COUPLE

e kilometres outside the town. The garden they were sitting in down by the cove w

black, br

violet,

ices in chorus floating in long undulating waves of sound. There was no conductor; a dark young girl in a brown checked dress lay in the midst of the group, leaning on one elbow, and led the singing with a sopran

ains with still higher ones in the distance. The little cove was like a mountain lake, once caused by a flood but since forgotten. The mountains--oh, so he

se lofty accessories of nature and human life. The smack and the singing protested against all overweening

one to make a stand, if one would not be utterly crushed and overwhelmed; either one must be beneath or above all! And they were above; for the west country folk are the brightest and cleverest of all Scandinavians. In so great a degre

fore the song began they had been engaged in a discussion as sharp and cutting, as leaden-hued as any mountain. It was to do away with this stone-like sharpness among themselves that they had sent forth their melodious song,

k, and sharp eyes that just then were slightly squinting; either the spectacles concealed it so as to make it hardly visible, or else it really was only very slight. The whole face had something severe about it, the mouth was pinched and hard and the chin sharp. But when one looked more closely into it the impression it gave one changed entirely; all that was so sharply cut became energe

ll in his features. It was a long fair face, not a west country face, but belonging rather to the mountain districts or highlands; either he was a foreigner, or else he came of a race of immigrants; he was strikingly like the popular pictures of Melanchthon, tho

other one, the conqueror with the eagle's beak (which just now had been hackin

, but so far there had never been any serious encounter be

atively higher and the whole face larger, undoubtedly too large. The sharp family nose had a more gentle bend in her well-proportioned face; his thin lips became fuller, his chin more rounded, his uneven eyebrows more even, the eyes larger--and yet it was the same face. The expression of the two was different; hers, though not cold, was calm and silent; no one could quickly read those deep eyes; and yet the two expressions were much alike. Her head was well set o

. Several of them had been throwing sticks into the water and sending the dog in after them; each time they threw a stick they s

oung girl, "does Sa

in youthful exuberance, not in the least intending to hurt anyone's feelings, or to sa

ot dare to tell the childre

bout him could no longer serve th

stab, and it was meant as such

sed as a type, whether he

called sun-god or not, but

s sun-god?" shout

me tell

e we are called after bears or wolves? O

others joined them, Josephine among the

only the fact of his being a sun-god that give

; Edward became excited at once and began to explain that our gods, who were Indian sun-gods, had in reality been turned into our forefathers when a new religion was started; the altars which then had be

an kno

And when the rays grew longer and longer, and spring drew near, then all can understand that the sun-god could again encircle with his arms the pillars of the world. Never have bees been known to deposit their honey in a beast's carcase; but when we hear that each

he was looking at her, but the impression made was unmistakable. What Edward had at first started, without other though

enewal of all things, every Egyptian slaughtered a lamb that day. The Jews have it from them. It is utterly false if the Jews later on have changed this to something

ce, and was far too secure in itself to be capable of scientific doubts. Had he announced this fact straight out, there would probably have been an end of the matter. But he too felt that Jo

d from elsewhere! Like the creed of immortality, that is from Egypt. The same with the Commandments. No one climbs up on to a high mountain to have revealed to him in a thunderstorm what others have known for thousands of years. Where is

, were evidently on Kallem's side; free-thinking was the fashion, and it

d from so ancient and uncultured a time that such a thing as individual responsibility was not then known, merely that of the whole tribe or family. Tuft was in despair; to him it really was an important question, and much moved, in a loud voice, he began to confess his faith. As if that were of any use! Excuses! Inventions!--show us your proofs! Too late, Ole Tuft perceived that he had defended the cause too eagerly and had therefore lost all. He was overcome with grief, fought with

the same kind of spirit. Some were sorry for him, others just wan

oined in, the gentlemen rather after the ladies. With very few exceptions, the party consisted of a chorus of ladies and gentle

e of the bank, the others round about he

No one could guess, hearing their merry, oft-whispered conversation, that there was aught between them save friendship and goodwill. And now, only three hours after, Ole Tuft sat there like an outcast! How

ne of the first and best ever passed in theology. Undoubtedly he had her, and possibly her brother too, to thank for his having been helped. In former days they had both of them brought him to their father, to the head-master, to the apothecary, and to many other families; and now through her he was accepted everywhere. In everyday life she spoke but little, and was often rather difficult to get on with; but she was a firm and true friend. At times she would censure him (for he was not always according to her taste); it was all part of their intercourse and he did not attach much importance to it, nor she either; from the very first she had always been his guard

He had got accustomed to this, it was almost a necessity for him; there was something child-like in his smiling trustfulness that

ime is thoroughly defeated, feels so completely out of it all. The worst of this was that Josephine did not appear to wish to have an

ucated as one might expect from people who travelled so much. The hostess came and asked how it was he would not eat anything, and the host took wine with him; in doing so they showed him the usual respect; but both of them cast a hurried, searching glance at his eyes, which made him tremble. He felt they doubted. In his ceaseless and ever-increasing pain, he saw nothing but doubt and scorn on every side, even in the fact of the general merriment. Edward Kallem was especially full of fun and they all collected round him. It was in his honor too (he had come home a fortnight ago) that the expedition had been got up. As in a dream, Ole saw that Josephine's flowers had been place

ame pouring out from the houses along the road, and, as they were all acquaintances, they stopped to speak. The newcomers joined them and walked on with them; then came others, and each time they s

stand that; for she had grown to be so much, too much, for him, he knew it and was not ashamed. That which once had been his highest aim, namely, to be a missionary, had fallen from him like scales, when he saw she no longer cared about it. Whenever his mother had said that he should never become a missionary, his answer was tha

es should pass back again. He soon turned over, and lay with his face downwards, the cool blades of grass prickling both cheeks and forehead, and the half-wet earth he seemed to in

med to say her brother

ully written to her when they were separated; her own brother had never done any one of all these things. Even his defeat of to-day he credited to her account; for if he had not, for her sake, been so conscientious in working for his examin

g her. She was very thin, with large, black eyes, often uncombed hair, red hands, altogether scraggy; he ni

s at once taken away from school, and allowed to devote himself to his chief interest, natural history. Chemical and physical analysis or botanical expeditions were his highest aim, and for two years he studied nothing but what belonged to those branches. After that he went through other necessary studies with a private master, and very quickly; he began his medical studies after passing his second examination. As long as he was at home he only saw his sister when she came across to the apothecary's to see him, and, as their interests were entirely opposed, their intercourse became almost nil. Later on, the apothecary used to take him abroad with him in the hol

ng him "disgusting," "meddlesome," "chatterbox," etc., etc. But Ole's faithful attention to her every time s

new nothing about. It was exactly two years and a half since he had seen her last; she had been in France and Spain for two years, and in the last holidays, when she was at home, he had been away travelling i

birth. If it had not been for that indescribable something about the eyes which distinguishes one person from the other all the world over--if it had not been for that something about the eyes--she might very well have lived among Spaniards and been taken for their countrywoman. The effect of this in a Norwegi

lways easily got at; but whenever it was possible they were together. She had a feeling that he wanted to study her thoroughly, so she was on he

see in his mind's eye Josephine at a ball, her brother dancing first with this one, then with the other--s

t

s sister to Edward, and she

taking to himself all manner of rights which he did not in the least deserve? Just after being

casting scorn and derision on his calling in lif

ains far away on the other side of the bay. He felt it in the back of his neck as he lay there with his face buried in the

seased out of his flesh. He had lost his cause to-day simply because he stood there as a liar. "Thou shalt have no other gods but me!" No, no, for

emed full of the soun

ghts and taken root in him. These questions of great or small; as to whether he should hazard "t

understood it in that way, she would have done just the opposite. No, she turned from him because he was such a poor creature--for nothing else. Perhaps, too, because she did not wish to be forced into a discussion, she was so very shy. Neither had she turned to her brother. She sat in the middle of the group in the garden, and later on, when they dine

e was for him. But all that sort of thing was utterly opposed to Josephine's nature. How could he even think of

scovery, he hopped down through the wood and acros

was sometimes when she thought him too child-like; through all

ll; by the roadside were some small factories, the houses being up on the hill, poor places all of t

pace so as not to overtake this person, and never noticed that besides that person walking in front of him was another advancing to meet him. At last he could distinguish one from the other. S

swer; he gazed at her face, her dress, the feather in her hat, her tall, fine figure, till involuntarily she smiled; so much dumb admiration and gratitude would pierce through any kind of armor. "Josephine! Oh, Jos

been burrowing in, she thought he had been

feeling. For these two it was as would be a dimly lighted room for two who were secretly engaged. She allowed he

"I thought, only fancy I though

hispered she again! And thus

by the electric current of her vicinity. They were utterly alone, and the silence round them was complete; they could hear their own steps and the rustling of the silk dress. He kept the arm on which her hand lay, painfully quiet, half afraid that the hand might fall

pward and discovered there was no

e, smiling. "Much lighter." Their voices had met and the so

that snowy Saturday evening long ago, when the other boys at school had treated him so badly, and he had fled away to Store-Tuft; he thought of all his misery that day; but his

Would she not thin

answer him. Again there was a complete silence between them. Just fancy, then her hand of its own accord slipped quietly into his arm, in the usual w

outline, no coloring visible; everything carefully packed up and put away, the mountains keeping guard over the whole. One long, faint, indistinct sound, a dull gleam through the dead-gray silen

t," answered she

anation he felt that he could not give it, he was not sufficiently at home with the subject. "No

nne d'Arc!" said she,

not wi

his was a subject that suited him; his west country accent, with the sing-song rise and fall in the voice, his carefully studied use of words, peculiar to one who had once been a peasant, heightened by the country dialect, though

came so eager that they were not aware that they might possibly meet someone, and that they now h

out having finished his story. Would he be allowed to take her home? The head-master's house was a littl

one's own door when the other person's way lay quite in an opposite direction. From their childhood she had alw

m his arm and offered it to him in farewell greeting. She saw his disappointment. And to make up for it her large eyes beamed on him, her hand grasped his heartily, and, "Thanks for a pleasant evening!" said she, in quite a different tone of voice from what she had used for the last few years. The words seemed to fly from heart to heart like a life-long prom

the end, some gymnastic apparatus stood outside too. Looked at from the street side, her bed-room was in the second story, but seen from the court it was on the first floor; hundreds of times, as a child, she had jumped out of the window instead of going out through the door. She ope

kind, would take it into their heads, as they passed the old school-yard, to turn into the playground of their boyish days and have a swing on the ropes; she would not like to meet those hal

entimental enough to wish to look up at her window? He must not come! God help him if he did come! She li

tretched up his right hand to her, and she took it. His eyes squinted a little, a sure sign that he was excited. "I am glad you are still up;

wer; he might have questioned her about anything in the world and she

with the rest of the party, I

es

e shook: "I behaved badly; I

er gleamed forth directly in he

She was dreadfully alarmed. Then he took her head between both his hands, and bending down, kissed her on the

tulate you, Josephine, dear Josephine." They

he, taking hold of her han

ay, E

stupidly. Good

ndkerchief and press it to her face. "I

over quickly, he embraced and kissed her onc

I

OUPLE

ring to pass the second part of his medical examination, he cam

w tell all

ent, Thomas Rendalen, somewhat older than Edward Kallem. In itself, it was seldom that a non medical student distinguished himself in that branch, so that everybody was struck b

wn rooms, he stayed the night there. And a few evenings after, when Rendalen came to him, they kept going backward and forward between the two lodgings (which were close together) till between three and four o'clock in the morning. Edward Kall

nergy--and then again so utterly devoid of power that he could do nothing; the whole machinery was out of order, as though one of the wheels were broken. Not a single spot at right angles, nothing but irregularities on the whole landscape of his charac

different times. Many suffered greatly at that time, wounds were made but not easily healed; those who lived comfortably and in better circumstances could pass the ord

hool in one of the towns on the coast, and he was anxious to take possession of it so as to be able to carry out his plans! His great aim was a system of mixed schools; but first the

e owned a whole library of school literature. He lived together with one Vangen, a student of theology who had finished his studies at Christmas, but was j

ckled hands, every finger denoting energy; not tall, but splendidly made; his walk, on well turned out feet, was very light. Wherever he went he was the best of all gymnasts, and could climb the ropes like none other; Edward, too, who had always been fond of gymnastics, became doubly

o the last degree about their persons; they dressed with taste; Rendalen, however, thought rather too much about it. Both had the same quick way of thinking, guessing in advance the half of what was

enetrate. He was very fond of Vangen, his adopted brother; but one could always see that there was a decided something that kept them apart. In this res

ay by the hour together, just as though no one were in the room; one might make up one's mind to go away at once. He it was who always gave the keynote to all their moods. He was capricious and could have long spells of melancholy; when one of these fits was on him few could get a word

fully interchanged ideas, each from his side. During the months of January and February they met nearly every evening; at any rate,

he strangest couple imaginable. Rendalen often spoke of them. As long as his friend's mother was in town, Kallem kept away; each time they left the gymnasium, Kallem could see that Rendalen did not wish to have him with him. But when, after a stay of eight days or so, the mot

oon), he heard the bell ring, the servant open the door, and then Rendalen's footstep in the pass

surely not be large enough for Rendalen's collections and his piano--and for Vangen? Or, were he and Vangen no longer going to live together? Yes, they were! But there was a large room adjoining

n now to the la

noon they moved! When the good-natured Vangen came hurrying home from his dinner, there sat Kallem in dressing-gown and slippers in the first room to the

le here," said Vangen; but tha

an half covered by the lids which hung over them in folds. The nose was a turn-up and seemed to drag the mouth upward into a stiff smile, the upper lip projected, showing a row of teeth for which there was hardly room, they glistened through each smile. Everything she said seemed to have a hidden meaning of fun and nonsense, it shot forth from under her eyelids and played about the corners of the mouth. The voice was a soft one. Otherwise a steady girl, well ma

d had the same entrance as his landlord had; that is to say, one of the rooms--the other one, his bed-room, had its own private entrance. Rendalen had had a third room, the corner room further in.

ed slowly: "Indeed, I am blind. And I can't move about much either." This was said with a Norland accent; each syllable jerked out and jogging heavily along like a London brewer's dray-horse. It was a clever, but full, large-featured face; he came probably of a healthy race. Kallem was s

Nobody answered and nobody came. His voice, as well as his seeming indifference and stolid quiet, seemed to make the silence duller. Kall

. Then, more gently: "Perhaps they are

rwegian room in winter; and it was faded and worn. The engravings and photographs were in large frames, which, however, did not fit very well, so that both dust and damp had got in and spoilt the paper. Th

es

ce she was a child, and just to find something to talk about he to

es

the one adjoining the corner room. Kallem then took that up as a subjec

es

of yours,

an a

Ragni!" Nobody answered and nobody came. "I fancied I heard a door open outside," he

t often been there himself; but had heard much about S?ren Kule. He declared the fellow might go to th

is brother-in-law in spe, Mr. Ole Tuft, now candidate in theol

understood at once what community she belonged to, and he changed the subject. He asked further whether he knew S?ren Kule? No, only through hearing of him from his aunt; all the family were from the Norland. Then who was S?ren Kule? He was a well-to-do fish-dealer who became blind and partially paralysed; was obliged to sell his

dare marry the

een marri

e about six months or a year

dren are by th

than a child herself; just fancy, she is e

this when he

but not so bad as now. There are not ma

you se

licate little creature, and very

up in t

he began again on the subject of the marriage. "The

re clergy folk;" but he recollected in time. He only

onderfully well executed that he set his door ajar so as to hear better. Her playing was more like singing. How in all the world could a woman young like she, and full of artistic and lyric feeling, marry such a mass of corruption? Here was a problem which he would have had Rendalen solve, but Rendalen knew nothing. However,

y save her, but she hides it entirely with her hair. I said so to her; 'Up with your hair,' said

he goo

ill feel it! But generally her eyes are on a level with the feet of the table, or piercing holes in the corners, or setting the stove alight. Sometimes, though, they dash up high along the walls like a rat that cannot esca

hose few were very likely engaged. She looked about her shyly and then came forward with timid steps and curtsied; still she did not look up, she seemed positively afraid, and so it struck him he would be kind and sit down beside her. But whatever he said to her she never answered anything but "yes," "no," "indeed," "perhaps," which soon proved too much of a good thing for so-much-sought-after a cavalier as he; so he left her. Again he was offered his choice between the "nut-kernel" which he had despised and a "bon-bon," and this time he chose the "nut-kernel." He liked her much better; she was a lively, round, little thing, and spoke with a mixture of Norland and Bergen accent. He soon learned that her father was a native of Bergen, but was now a clergyman in the Norland district. She was staying here in town with her sister, and very often went to balls; for they had so many relations--her voice rose and fell in true Norland fashion; but unfortunately she w

e of that? Was that why she had chosen him to dance with before? She felt as if she were taken in the act of committi

having kept silence, and could not possibly get out

ve some difficu

age which is easier for you than for most people--" and so he talked on in an easy, natural way about her music, made her sit down, told her that he had heard her play, and that Rendalen was such a competent judge; he turned the conversation upon all the world-renowned artists he had ever heard, and succeeded in making her join in; of course she had heard so many

less that in her sister's. It was rather a weak voice, but at the same time so very sweet. He answered her with

room?" re

o live here--my husband's aunt," she added, corr

ven him noti

ertain

d not possibl

een to say good-by. She never quite got rid of her shyness;

e much of h

id she, a

o you

he was such a clever woman. But Kallem began joking her about it; she was forced to laugh again, and, as before said it was sweet to see and hear her laugh. "You see you can talk!

k at the eyes; but now he knew that they were so confiding in all their gray-blue shyness, and they spoke volumes. Cheeks, chin, and mouth were soft and undecided; the latter always slightly open; it was short, too, which made it so "sweet." The nose was nothing much, but it was slightly crooked. Her hair was not very thick, but it had a pretty reddish shade in it. But her comple

r again; she seemed to become invisible. He came back to her as soon as he could for propriety's sake. She evidently did not object; she was a little more confiding, even looked at him once or twice and smiled right up into his eyes. Fancy that! It was more than Rendalen could have aspired to. His falling in love began through her being so shy, and increased as she became more con

y, thinking secretly that the nephew

they met, and there was much merry laughter among all the young people on the stairs and in the corridors; outside was the noise of bells from the sledges come to fetch the guests. The "nephew," being the host of the evening, could not leave so early; but he found someone to take his place; this other young man gave his arm to his lady, an

nervous and ti

en they walked on for a while in silence; they could see nothing of the other two. Bah! thought he,

p with her, but she has to get up early to-morrow morning." The North-

nter," said he; "here everything is ice-bo

t the sea always freshens one up when one is near it, and makes one melancholy when one thinks of it?" Just then something came driving past them at great speed; th

ey died away in the distance; again there was that complete si

r to talk whilst snow

which the first couple took at full speed. By and by they saw them again through the veil of snow, but could hear nothing of them. But as the stree

down to the children--two sweet little girls, dressed out like dolls, one about three, the other four years old. He invited them into a confectioner's for refreshments; the offer was accepted after a good deal of hesitation; but the married sister never raised her eyes, and he could hardly induce her to sit down. Out of pure shyness and uneasiness she worried the children so that they became impatient. He offered them cakes and wine; but she could not make up her mind what she would have, and at last allowed her sister to choose. Her face was framed in by a bonnet with silk flaps; the forehead quite disappeared, and her face became round and insignificant; her figure was concealed by clothes which were all much too large for her (he heard later that they had belonged to her late sister). It was only when he began to notice the children--he had a wonderful gift that way, for he was fond of children--that they really made friends again; it happened down on the floor, too, because the youngest child had made a terrible mess of itself with a cake full of whipped cream, which the mother had most injudiciously chosen for it. There they were now, both drying the child with their pocket-handkerchiefs, and the mother thanking him over and over again, with a gui

h to come and pay him a visit the next day, which was Sunday. Directly after his dinner he went out and b

Is she not a dear wee thing, my little Juanita?" became the refrain of his life; he taught it to Rendalen, too; they greeted each other with it when they met at the gymnasium in the evenings. But Edward Kallem kept to himself the notion he had that she had been so shy because she had met him again

mped over the chairs, and they were all tremendously happy. But the servant spoilt everything; he could di

m, but was caught and carried back crying. He rang for the servant and told her to give the children the remains of what he had bought for them. She took the things from him but said: "Is it not too much?" and looked at him w

ed brightly to him and said: "Thanks for our last trea

the children too, and have it all over again just like the last time. And so they did. Fru Kule was not quite so shy as the other day, Kallem himself was in the best of spirits, and the children were uproa

alone together, but she said: "Oh, no, don't go!" And yet there was no reason for her wishing him to stay; she walked home beside him and the others, crying all the way; and when the others left them and went their own way, and he and she stood before their door, she could find nothing to say, but just went on up-stairs. On th

fe, because her imagination kept her time occupied; but when anything out of the common happened, rou

d from his own room, and perhaps better. Not because he was particularly attentive; he was looking at her. The upper part of the face now flashing down over the keys and music was very different to how he knew it; probably it was like this Rendalen had seen her. How much she would have to go through before the lower part of the face was equally developed? A few days ago he had had a letter from a cousin who lived at Madison, in Wisconsin; he had been made professor at the university there, and his wife, a Norwegian lady, studied under him. Something of the kind would be necessary to bring life and shape into these dull cheeks and weak chin, that vacillating mouth with the cracked lips. But how touching it was to see all this child-like dependence. Close by he saw the husband's huge hands resting on the arm of his chair--he lay

sturbed him in his studies for his examination

sibility ought to be aroused, she ought to be shown the dangers of continuing her present life; above all, she ought to be sent away, far away, where she would have freedom of thought and liberty to develop.... Kallem gained more and more assurance, and his love

e had said a word

esire, and he gave himself up to it with all his soul. She, for her part, lost somewhat of her shyness each time they met; it seemed as though he really were a comfort to her after her sister left; indeed, unless he were much mistaken, he was even mo

ence that was the principal hindrance, and he dared not startle her. All the energy in him drove him to action; but his love for her lent itself to her wish for a poetical

de his way in to these evenings, through his fellow-student, her nephew. Of course he went there solely and entirely so as to be able to walk home with her at night. At this time the snow was gone and the streets were

while they passed by one sledge after the other, and the carriage, too. None seemed to be theirs. "Are we not going to drive?" asked she. The rogue laughed; it was he who had planned this walk. She tried to hide her disappointment; but, after a few vain efforts, begged to be allowed to drive. Then he recollected how frightened she had been that first time; his conscience pricked him, and he declared they would go to the very first stand, which was not far off. The road was

im feel both uneasy and unhappy. The unsteady light there was over the whole of nature, with its scattered colouring only increased this feeling; surely something would go wrong. And never did that feeling come over him without its bringing back to his remembrance that night of terror from his childhood, with all its consequences. Was this to follow him all through life, this terrifying forewarning of his own wrong-doings? He was greatly excited; for she must not be allowed to fall. If it had not been for her timidity he would have gone down the hills in a merry, sliding dance; now her being frightened made him frightened too. Each slippery

eard sleigh bells and listened. "I hope the last horse has not left the stand," said she; "it is late." She took his arm and they walked on. The road was not quite all; right here either; the snow was trodden down hard, but there had been sand strewn on the pavement; they walked quicker, and by degrees with greater assurance. "Thank God!" said she, as much relieved as though she had come out of a sea of ice. Hardly

er control his joy, he pressed her head to him and kissed her one, two, three times. "Oh, how I love you!" whispered he, and kissed her again. He felt she wanted to move, so he got up at once and helped her up as well. But she was not able to stand alone, and nearly fell, so he supported her to the garden railing just in front of the house; she caught hold of it and leaned against it as if she could not bear her own weight. He let go his hold of her to see if she could stand without help, which she was able to do. "I'll run for a sledge," said he, and away he went. As he ran along he bethought himself that he m

railing, half sideways; she had fastened her cloak again and drawn down her veil. She gave him her hand when he came, that she might have support; he took it, put his other hand on her waist so as to guide her in front of him; he did not wish to

s had not been well; she had been sick and was still in bed, but was rather better. Marie's conscious smile put him into a towering passion. And she had the impudence, too, to examine his face closely. All the same, he was obliged to go and inquire the next day; her mistress was up and quite well again. But neither that

and then despised himself all the more. From the moment he had touched her lips and had offended her ears there was, as it were, a veil drawn across her image; he no longer saw the pure, dove-like whiteness, borne in all its charms and helplessness by music; he only saw one he longed for. But his was a healthy nature and he had a strong sense of the comic side of things; h

oved. He had not borne it one single day, either! Surely it could never have been for the same

deal; Rendalen and she had played duets together. They kept this up after his mother had left, and it

ettle them. He excused himself in this way, but what was worse was that he felt an ever-increasing temptation. The same evening he said to Marie that he was going to leave either the next day or the day after, he was not sure which it would be; but she was to ask

n the sofa listening. Could he go and say good-bye to her just as if nothing had happened? Should he light his lamp? Should he go out again? He raised himself up and stared at the fire in the stove. Then he heard a door in the passage open, and voices--a couple of women's voices, with a strong north-country accent; from that he concluded that some newly arrived relations had been calling and were being escorted to the door; he heard the aunt's slow, drawling voice; he heard, too, a man's voice--was it Ole Tuft? But he could not hear her voice, the voice he was listening for. There were good-byes all round and the door was shut; then came the aunt's voice again, then Ole Tuft's, it really was his voice--he had evidently arrived just as the others were leaving; they went into the aunt's room and shut the door after them, at the same time a door was shut a little further away. Again there was a ring; again a door opened and out came--both the children, shouting with joy; they had seized the occasion to try and run into Kallem, but they were not allowed, so there was a chase after them down the corridor amid much laughter; they were captured and a door shut upon them; at the same moment, the entrance door was opened; one of those north-country ladies had

n the children were heard talking in the kitchen or dining-room. He stood still, like any criminal, when he heard these accustomed every-day sounds. He ought never to have embarked on this proceeding. He heard the aunt's droning questions and Ole's clear answers; that is to say, he

hawl, then the panel of a door, then one of the coloured passage windows, which he could just distinguish. A carriage rattled past; soon after there came a sound of sleigh-bells dying away in the distance; in this kind of half-thaw both carriages and sledges were used. Something fell down in the kitchen; Kate began to cough again; how long time must seem to him! probably he never used lights? Surely the door between the children's room and the kitchen was open, for they ran in there to find out what had fallen down; he heard the north-countr

down from the arm and round the waist, which he cautiously encircled. It felt soft and pliable; she stood quite still but trembled a little. He gave a faint pressure. With his other hand he took hold of her hand and gently pressed it; it trembled too. He pressed it again--and step by step they moved slowly forward--without resistance, but still not quite willingly. He could just hear his own footsteps, but hers not at all; the children were talking quietly now. There was not a sound to be heard either in Kule's, or in the aunt's room; but in front of them was an open chink at his door. They arrived there; he pushed it open gently and would have led her in; but here she stopped and tried to draw away her hand. He heard her breathing and felt her breath, could just make out

or days and nights shut in with their grief. T

not weep so!" he entreated, "I cannot bear it!" He took her hands in his and sat down on the sofa beside her, he laid her head on his shoulder and put his arms round her; he kissed her hair, he pressed her tear-stained cheek against his own; but she cried just as much in this position as in the former one. He wanted to give her some wine. No, ho no!--but it was really terrible this crying. Could it be because he had brought her in to his room? He had been longing so to see her that he could not resist it when he heard her in the passage. Surely she would not have him leave without sayi

he vacant edge of the table, with equal care she moved the lamp a little and pushed the tray further in. She was red in the face and did not look at either of them; but she had the usual smile which seemed to say: I have been expecting this for lo

s really the only thing she said all the time she sat there. He could answer nothing but what would have sounded very stupid. He tried to say something and took refuge in caresses; but she got up and drew herself away--she wished

seen at a glance how to account for Ragni's strange manner the last few days. So she had kept guard outside her own door, and just as Ragni was leaving Kallem's room, she gave a push to her door, thereby causing the light to fall full on her. Her aunt put out her hand; that was as much as to say: "This way, my lady!" And Ragni obeyed, and her aun

t her aunt had heard her crying in his room, and so had Tuft; he had also been at their door. There was

d his eyes to fill with tears, but his heart to take fresh courage. Something must be done now! Her aunt and Ole Tuft had evidently been cros

of furious indignation, of fear, reven

What the devil did he want? What was his object? Was that walking in "the ways of God," that too? Peeping through key-holes and listening at doors? It was all in "the

was met by those clear eyes. He seemed even to feel her cheek resting against his like that last evening they were together. The end of it was that he walked past. But that brought him in the neighbourhood of his old lodgings, and he thought of Rendalen. He would go to him! He would

he sake of these two precious souls, and sought help; and allowed himself no peace or rest till he had accomplished his aim. He might have gone himself to Kallem, but it might have been dangerous, and certa

em walked in quickly, highly astonished. Rendalen shut the door, locked it as well, and flung his hat and coat from him. "I was just getting ready to go to you!" he hissed out the words; he was quite pale through all his freckles, his thin lips tightly pressed together, his small gray eyes flashing. And now he clenched his broad, short hands, the hands of a giant, till they got quite white. His red

mmon to every single individual! And do you know why I moved away from there? Do you imagine that I have less power and influence over anyone than you? You damned, cowardly villain!" H

ed redder, and as suddenly turned white again. In vain he strove to speak, but not being able, he went straight at Kallem, pierc

alen's right hand swung round in the air. Kallem stooped down and then rose unhurt, but kept on provoking him.

go a prey to the most violent passion, and now half paralysed. Nothing was heard but the sound of his breathing; his face was unhappy--so utterly, miserably unhappy! What in the world was the meaning of it all? He looked at his companion, till all his old kindly feeling for him woke up again; and without further ado he went up to the window too and stood beside him. "You must not take it so much to heart," he said; "it is not so bad as you perhaps think." The other did not answer; perhaps he never heard it, he kept on looking out of the window a

alen, which he neither could nor would try to conceal. So Kallem asked him openly whether he too loved her? Again Rendalen turned pale and ill at ease, and Kallem felt unhappy at his own thoughtlessness; but it c

am--I am on the borders of it. My father was exactly the same. So that when you said that there--about being out of my senses, you hit the mark. The very words of my mother. I dare not give in. Not in love either. All the same I could not always resist. However, I have no wish to c

I do? I thought you

now would help someone else? His father was very peculiar, but he was a warm-hearted man and hated injustice. Edward Kallem had never heard of anything more unjust than Ragni's self-imposed lot; he was almost certain that his father would feel the same. So he told him about their love--quite without reserve; he promised that if his father would help her, this treaty should be like a consecration. He would apply

ish; the necessary should be sent by the first post. With this victorious telegram in hand, he began to work his and Rendalen's

med to hesitate; she acknowledged humbly that she could never educate them so well herself. But what she partially agreed to the one day, she drew back from the next; every time she had been with the children it again all seemed so impossible to her. And as she each time worked herself up to such a pitch of excitement that all the passers-by stared at them, they could no longer keep their appointments in the street. There could be no question of their meeting anywhere but at his or Rendalen's rooms; but Ragni had again become so shy that he doubted whether she would consent. He prepared her for it by letters, and got Marie also to try and persuade her to it, and

n extreme. Then he wrote letters yards long; she dare not answer, she fancied she was watched by her aunt and the north-country kitchen-maid; but as the letters told her of all the strength of his love, and as they, with all the cunning of love, were written to charm her imagination, they effected a great deal more than the meetings had done. It was thanks to the cunning Marie that these letters reached their destination; she was too clever both for the aunt and for the north-country girl. As long as these arrangements were going on and keeping his strength up to the m

eived her made her afraid that something was brewing. Formerly he had been so self-contained--partly, too, because Marie was always present--now he embraced Ragni with all the tenderness he was capable of, and seemed as though he could not let her go. Hi

aw someone coming outside the windows and drew down the blinds, so there was only a dim light in the room; and they, too, heard Marie crying in the next room. Their embrace gradually became a whispered conversation, at first interrupted, but then accompanied by subdued sobbing, which was checked and began again, like music with sourdine

say, since her father died; she was then twelve years old. She had suffered much, most of all when she came home from Berlin and had not sufficient courage to play in public; but neither would she tell him about that; it would take too long. Always she had dreamt of this white pasha; ah, if he would but come! She was quite confident that he would come. Even when she went down to the "whales," she knew he would follow her; he would find the way. Once she had thought that Rendalen was the white pasha; but, as it turned out, he was not; he had moved away to make room for the real one to come. The first evening they two had met in the silent falling snow.

verge of learning what he mo

to meet Ragni on board; the former was going home for

st blow of all. For a while she was quite overcome; then they sat down again and took leave of each other, a long, harrowing farewell. Mari

and in all the succeeding years he looked back upon th

way in the distance; but in the afternoon h

-and timed it so that her aunt shou

ld suppose that the person who had arranged Ragni's flight a

nce of herself--unless it were of her poetical playing so full of song; and that could not plead for her now. A year ago she had undertaken to live for

t say so openly? Why behave

ady everyone took it for granted that she had had a "liaison" with someone; and

ave given had it been Ragni who came smiling after them? Of course he took the children into a confectioner's and heard

er head that all the ladies in the pictures were "mamma;" when her sister

at it made a great impression on him. But when he left the children and went to his dinner, it seemed to him as though he were the unsuccessful operator. He had wis

ront of him, when he looked up to see Ole Tuft, fresh and smiling, before him. He did not know w

as all must know who were in any way connected with the event, that Edward Kallem was the sinner. He must have heard it from Josephine, who would hear it from her father--or, was he mistaken? Was there not a mixture of doubt in Ole's friendliness? A su

y message; he said he hoped soon to begin his "work;" he hinted at what then would happen; the way was clear before him an

of way, went slouching across the square. This much was true: there went a man wh

NH

inner or his moral struggles with self; for he is unjust. And as such he neither

ing aspen-leaves were reflected on the window; the aspen-trees stood trembling by the railing outside on the road. The scent of auriculas, lilacs, and laburnums streamed in from the garden; he recognised each particular scent floating through the air; for he had planted both trees and flowers himself; they were his pets

u

can do nothing by himself? It is His unfathomable love for

g the mirror-like water in two; the larger share fell to the islands yonder, the lesser to the shore here by the town. He took up his telescope from his desk. The pier down be

e hair was almost black. She had on a cream-colored muslin dress spotted with bright-red flowers; it was made with a red silk yoke and a belt of the same stuff and colour. It was a striking contrast to her dark complexion, black hair, and clear eyes; she showed her appreciation of the warm spring day by her consummate brilliancy of colouring. But directly she saw the smiling Melancthon face in the window, she let down her red parasol between them. She

oing?--Down to see!" shouted the boy as he ran on. The back of her neck seen under her hat, her figure against the sunlight, her walk, the bright colours ... the clergyman stood

ivion?... No, that's not enough; 'merciful oblivion;' well then--); but not as the leader of an army gives quarter or a king grants merciful oblivion; not like that does God judge; no, that would be contrar

decidedly v

tinctly. The clergyman looked from the steamer to the town, to the shore, across the lake, and towards the hills away on the other side of the lake; the snow still lay on most of the distant blue hills. The noise of the steamer seemed to fill everything, like another sermon following upon his own. The modest fragrance coming from his own little garden attracted his eyes from the greater to the less. Little Edward and he had done it all together, that is to say, he had really done it, and little Edward had been there to make mischief. The minister examined first the beds on which

. If a sinner could do this by himself, then there would be no mer

ow juridical!). If this work of mercy is to be a benefit to all, then the atonement must be extended to the whole of s

world, and the forgiveness of sins of the whole of humanity, once for all, are obtain

e large town which lay to the right, and of which the headland formed the nose, stretched itself out almost the whole way across; the sea lay between. Farm upon farm lay in the sun, verdant and fruitful; here and there were large gaps tha

e surroundings, not only a part of them. Supposing a string were strung across the whole coun

u

or us. The merits of Christ and the righteousness of Christ have paid all our debts. Everyone can in a way take a share for himself of the

amusing. His thoughts flew rapidly from the mountains to the steamer again; it was struggling forward towards the little strait. The island out yonder had a garden hat on, and now it seemed as if a veil were added as well from the smoke of the steamboat. Surely the wind was blowing from a different quarter out there? No, now it seems the same over here too

r of the beach street and the road that turned up this way; the sound seemed to proceed from an empty space. The staccato puffs of the groaning steamer could still be faintly heard in the distance. The house he was i

ed to do so very much; but house and ground and everything they had belonged to his wife. His o

ttle comforts are gained which make life pleasanter and work easier; besides it certainly increases one's authority--particularly a clergyman's. Much g

ead, aloud this time: "An outer foundation for justification is therefore that Jesus has fulfilled the laws; the inner condition is that the sinner believe thi

ain passage in Ephesians that made him pause. If the wife be not subject in all things, ... n

ing to Nerg?rd the gardener--up here perhaps for the first time this year (would they remember the way, now that the wind had changed and the scent of the flowers gave them warning)--not even the bees did he hear buzzing round the new blossoms shaded by the house. Matrimonial difficulties as regards Ephesians V. 24, can weave a covering for the head even though the sun's rays be shining on the hair. His eyes were blind as the wind itself as he let them wander over the town, yonder on the gentle slope, with its three shades of green, the meadows, the corn-fields, and the woods. Just at that moment there lay a long black stripe across the water, and some single wavy lines; he was in the midst of it all, but saw nothing. A cow tethered over the way was lowing for water, water! All around him seem

ot Edward; that flourish in the crying was not his; no, ther

t's a bad busines

ittle one crying so pitifully. But when he had done that, he

recognize him. He bent his way to that side of the road, straight up to the steps--a tall man with short, sun-burnt face, spectacles, and a peculiar rapid way of walking; but, in all the

me

e, but the stranger

war

it really you?" The minister advanced to meet him, gave him both hands and drew him i

rother-in-law in answer, his eyes glistened be

ed the minister, dropping his hands and laying hi

e who told me w

I suppose the boy walked too slowly for you?" asked the mini

reason. What a pretty

ice, although I would have preferred th

was no choi

round to it! What a long time you have been away! A long time at a stretch.--And why did you not write now, and let me know? Good heavens, how could I not know you directly! You are really almost totally unchanged." He look

e, you are n

t I was. In fact,

ething of a clergyman

ellow can to prevent it; I work in the garden, I take long walks; but all to no purpose!

uld do a

at do y

on my

my hands? I, i

ed up the church on your hands

you really walk

piece of shirt which showed between it and the band of his trousers, at part of the braces, and lastly at the trousers down to the stockings, and leather shoes with thick, gutta-percha soles. Kallem ran

reatly? He would ask right out what it was; why not have it cleared up on the spot? Kallem had put his spectacles on and passed across to the desk; a woodcut of Christ by Michael Angelo hung just above it; he glanced casually

k? You bo

. However, now it lay on the counte

," said the minister. "The most of it

rned towards him. "Is this way of thinking gen

to-morrow all the different opinions tha

ked out of the window, for the fourth or fifth time.

is face was turned upwards towards her, whilst he jogged along the uneven road. They kept to the other side. But here, just by the hedge, a lady was walking. She raised her green parasol (what a beauty it was!). She was not as tall as Josephine, but slight; she was looki

with Josephine? Did she come

she

know her

he is m

Are you a

into the room; but nothing but vacant air met him there; the doctor's head was stil

llem with the greatest astonishment. Six years, he thought. "How long

other side. "I say, mother, why do little boys fall and knock their heads?" No answer. "I say mother, why don't they fall on their

them, the minister followed after;

ran up to his father and told him how Nicholas Andersen had climbed up the "ladder" (the boy pointed down to the new house) and "then fallen down." And "the new lady" had tied

s and looking at the minister. The latter tried to find something to say, but failed

t his wife of adultery, was free and could marry again; but if any man divorced his wife for other reasons and got married again during her lifetime, then the first marriage was valid and not the other one. Hardly a week ago he had written all this, and with the full consent of his wife. And just because this case of Kallem and Ragni Kule was still so fresh in his memory, he had wr

eforehand, she hated the woman who had captivated her brother. And no

he was now quite steady. He was a learned man now, and had been offered a professorship

them and introduce them to their circle of friends in the congregation as Mr. and M

He had read it, of course, and that explained all. There she stood, not knowing which way to look, but pressing closer to him. And he----? His right arm was round her, as though he wished to proclaim she was his

minister said: "S

nce; on the same side was the larder, and a spare bed-room out to the garden, next to the minister's study, and with a balcony in front corresponding to the steps at the other end of the facade. Upstairs were several bed-rooms, etc. It barely took five minutes to show them over the house. Nothing but a few necessary remarks on the part of the minister, a

e hands of her brother- and sister-in-law like an ermine through a hole in the wall. Her eyes glanced timidly at them

er stood and looked after them. This rapid walking increased her agitation so that, when they had go

. But he soon understood that she was probably crying on account of his behaviour. He drew

her, but to me too; yes, especially to me. You never looked

it was just o

way again! I cannot bear that!"

u see what Josep

again, her hat falling off, and her hair tumbled. "She w

ot succeed in doing you any harm.

have thought you were like that! It was so--so unrefined

as written about us, that is unrefined. And her silen

g. After a pause he heard:

spered softly through her reddish hair; she must not give in at once, nor speak of dying o

But you must remember that now I am with you;

, and stood there wit

re, but a larger one than was usual, and she stood leaning her head against the window-post. The minis

id he had been m

said: "Rubbish!" and turned to the window again. The minister thought too that it

open with astonishment. "He walked right round the study on his hands," the minister assured her. "He advised me to wa

esent moment; it caused her too much pain. He retired to his stud

ever listen to the slightest insinuation of a possibility of things turning out di

e had. He only hoped he would always be able to take things

could feel the same confidence in their married life as others had. She was irritable at times, and this last ou

u

sive forever. All our sins are washed away; we are

I

friends on their way down th

arm in arm with the man with spectacles whom he had just seen go up yonder, he concluded it must be the new doctor; the minister was his brother-in-law, and they were now coming from his house. Andersen left off working and took off his hat to them; Ragni stopped her husband, and Andersen c

right,

street. Andersen took the opportunity of mentioning his bad eyes; the doctor would also have to look at them presently. As they walked on they had spectators from open windows and down the s

ir, fair, arched features, slightly built, but tall; there was someth

ade a conquest there

hands, which were appended to unusually long arms that swung in a kind of bow behind him; had they swung both together they must undoubtedly have come into collision. He wore no hat, his short clipped hair showed the entire shape of his

t that man!" wh

ing!" sh

em returned the glance, and when they had gone past they turned to

Kallem. She looked at h

risten L

a loc

ind do

ksmi

a watchmaker and gunsmith; i

whole town; a large house next to a small one, then a house built of stone, then a wooden one, all of them erected in haste and as cheaply as possible. The houses were not even

l. It was here they had met Josephine on their way up; for up to the right by the church, in a par

ch, they could discern the park behind their own house, and in it the gables of the large hospital. At last--they were walking slowly, without uttering a single

st at this stop. Not one of all their dream-pictures was in what now lay before them! They both turned and surveyed the breadth and beauty of the landscape, smiling the while at each other. It was strange that just at that moment there was not a creature to be seen, not a sound or a noise that recalled anything, either far or near. Just those two and their home! The one saw exactly the same as the other saw, the sight and the feelings of the one were rende

furniture, straw, sawdust, mats. Ragni's grand piano had just been take

yard. "Fancy, if pigeons came flyi

came running to us now

h divided the park and garden. They stopped there, a

indows they heard the work-people in the rooms; they went down the veranda steps with much noise and laughter; they came out there and went straight up to the piano, not noticing the two who stood there. Then they carried off the piano to the veranda and went tramping up the steps again. Kallem

outhouse on this near side, the

ed painting; and it must have a different colour than this common-looking yellow. It was their house, their home! Kallem stamped three times on the ground, it was his too. He wanted to go in there, but she wished to go round to the front and up the

ion, too, but it was broad, an

of the drawing-room. The men who had carried in the piano came out to meet them; they understood at once who it was, and as Ragni looked at them, first the one, then all of them, took off their hat or cap. Kallem returned their greeting, Ragni escaped in to the piano which stood in the middle of the floor, took out the key and

behind him a little woman anxious to see and yet remain unseen. But then the door just in front of her was opened and a peasant girl look

you S

it wa

m the doct

ing quite into the room. She

ime you are in ser

it

we keep house," said Kalle

bed-room stood open just in front of her, she went in and out on the balcony over the veranda. How had she deserved such great happiness? What was all her longing, and all her work, compared to what now awaited her i

ought it a shame--still he was very fond of his sister; there was something a

nd the garden; but he thought he would propose to shut up the former. The walls were self-coloured, light gray, the ceiling pale blue with gold stars; the paint was old and faded, only the floor had been freshly pa

y!" said

ish accent. Kallem went up to the table where the man stood cutti

is you

hat a proper kind of wife too." The little woman behind him giggled, though almo

everything

hindrances to on

ily, but in a muf

e Dani

but we get on very well

per than ever, lau

h to the front and to the southeast, was of course his work-room; he would receive people there when not at the hospital. He did not go into it, but out of the

re those

ong to th

per-hanger

was quite tipsy at that very moment, and his wife still tipsier! That was why the

ask the Dane to

hining face with hundreds of twinkles in his eye; his wife was

se your

altog

e shares with

drinkin

d you b

, but not the bottles;

was heard

what is y

rsen, that'

rsen, will you let me

mean t

the

ight,

we must work all night, we must be ready to-morrow. W

wish,

indly sup with u

t on the balcony, standing in the sun. She turned to him. He

--it was visible from there--and the sea with its ripples, and the mountains yonder in dist

s though we were not married, eh? It

here except the long curtains and hangings draped from the ceiling down over both beds, at the balcony windows, and before the door; they were blue in colour and pattern, and ma

large windows, but very small panes. The ground floor of the building was brick and contained the servants' rooms and offices; it all looked very snug, with curtains in the windows and plenty of flowers standing in them. The entrance was at the left sid

e put on the door to say when the patients might receive visits. Presently they saw the porter in the inner yard; he was an elderly man w

the new

es

ook off h

lco

and had a thick woollen scarf round his neck, even on that warm day

ame way. The porter was not only porter, but he was also steward, and the oldest inspector the house had; he therefore felt called upon to introduce the other members of the househol

perating-room was very light, but there must at once be a new polished floor put in. The ventilating apparatus was most faulty. With the exception of these and

allem had bought it very cheap, because just at that moment there was no one else who could entertain the idea of buying. Here he would be able to arrange himself and his time exactly according to his own wishes; he had great plans. The parish gave their contribution, and a committee, consisting of the district physician and one other doctor besides, had the supervision of i

reign literature--it had been like her own for five or six years--especially translations of poetry. Slightly flushed with the wine, and just a littl

let u

iends and

's by-go

sh and

hts as i

s as in

ces, e

und

art Through th

lf and

ert b

nfully, Gladden

earning

happy

h t

I

t their thoughts they knew it was the church bells ringing for service; they had slept ve

hich she had thrown round her. But although she looked so sweetly at him, and eagerly began praising the view and the exquisite day, he did not forget the shower-bath. Yesterday she had solemnly promised that she would begin the very first morning; susceptible to cold as she was, she must look upon a shower-bath as her daily bread, especially up here, where the change from heat to cold was so very sudden. Therefore----! She made the most piteous face, and tried to laugh it off; but he pointed to the shower-bath--would she really break her promise? If she broke it now, this first time, she would break it too often later

eparatory to the well-known three peals, they could hear the flies buzzing about the room, and the birds outside. They also heard the puffing of a little steamer out on the l

scents; it poured in from the fields and trees. Through the clanging of the

hey both caught sight of two swallows that were evidently playing with their own shadows in the sand outside the veranda. They flew above and past each other, the shadows on the sand imitating each swoop; the birds wore down

ren Pedersen and his wife had arrived some time a

years jubilee, and to preach a farewell sermon. Foot passengers had been on the go all the morning; now came those in carriages; a

went on with their lunch, and gave a short account of the patients over at the "establishment," and of the sanitary state of both town and country. He answered dryly and briefly all questions as to those functionaries Kallem would have to call upon, as to the leaders in town and parish matters, and those of the local government board he ought to know. The purest business matters became pleasant when spoken of by Dr. Kent. Wh

thing to do with. And who were those two? He knew nothing about their "antecedentia;" she was from these parts, he was from Funen. They were both clever at their work; but people soon found out that they drank. The minister tried to correct this failing; he had grown attached to them from the time they had worked for him in his new house. Strange to say, his efforts were crowned with success; not only did they give up drink, but S?ren became a most zealous temperance man and very religious; at last he knew the Bibl

risten Larssen had heard about S?ren Pedersen's powers of learning by heart, and tried to find out the mecha

of Judges it is written that the Lord was with Judah, but Judah could no

ed that the God of the Jews had not gain

itten, "Thou shalt not kill," but it is written too that the L

eace. Half of them went into fits of laughter, the other half got angry. It ended by his being turned out of the meetings, both he and Aase. "I don't know," said Dr. Kent, "whether I may tell you how your brother-in-law, with his own hands, turned out S?ren Pedersen and his wife Aase--out of th

i roared with l

mmittee. S?ren Pedersen and his wife, Aase, were present, and everyone suspected there would be mischief. 'God cannot lie,' said the minister. Th

he fields fertile, the road varied, first through woods, across fields, hills, and undulating over brooks and streams. There were heaps of stones in the most unexpected places, and paths and roads in all directions. Anyone coming from the prairies of Ameri

, and the contrast between the flora she had studied, and that of the country here, interested her greatly. She asked if there were many places in Norway where barb

principally fir-trees, she saw the linn?a for the third time; sh

d not seen each other, or, indeed, as it was spring when she started, it was six years and a half. She gathered and lifted up some of them, and her eye fell on a "pyrola uniflora" bending low in melancholy

little behind--away from the others. She heard them talking; one hears so distinctly in the wood; she heard too a pair of startled birds. But here at hand was nothing but the rustling of her own

em how she had come from so very far away, she told it all in flower-fashion, without words; speech was not necessary between them. How she had opened one door after the other to find her way back to Norway; each time she had opened one, there had been another beyond ... until at last she was with them all. As soon as she saw the linn?a she knew that she had

or you too. Here we kee

ell it

nd to

nly thing I have a talent for.

be as they will;

e so deep in. She understood now what ha

ounded with his clear voice. "Yes!" Some of the family

to join the party. And just by the road, well hidden under the bank, was a whole party of lilies of the valley; where could her eyes have been? They knew well enough where she came from, for they

shouted

out on to the road and sa

as he stood there; he repeated in German, a German botanist's delight over this stately poison-bearer which he had come across in Norway. Dr. Kent presented her with a "polygula amara;" he knew that the little blue flower would be new to her coming from America. She thanked him warmly. They got into the carriage an

aid Kallem. She shot a glance at hi

seventy years old, and was going to start on a journey abroad with his grand-daughter. He must be a strong man? Yes, and led a healthy life; always on the move, always busy. He was the go-between here. Go-between? Yes, each district must have one to intercede for science and for practical matters. Much of the prosperity of this district

of anecdote

refused to be moved; she resisted with all her strength, and at last they had to tie her in a chair and carry her away. As they arrived with her, the woman who had the management of the prison stood in the doorway and received the furious old creature. "Unloose her!" she said. "But is it safe?" "Unloose her!" And they did s

ad. There was a black dog lying in front of the gallery; he looked at the carriage and barked; but only once o

patient, and Ragni walked up and down the yard. Through the window she could see an old man in bed and his old wife

e yard; then went and sat do

m which is not at work--the hens going about scratching and picking up food, make you feel comfortable, the dog lying down, and the cat that creeps stealthily a few paces, stops, then creeps on again, and the ploughs leaning up against the harrows, the grinding-stones standing dry, the carts with shafts down, the dinner-bell silent; everything that has been at work rest

n her conscience that could accuse her? No, a thousand times, no! Not even her sister's children? No, for she could not even

s; she could not remember the name of the latter. As she went down the path again she found a splendid cock's-comb and a third kind of violet; the others had already given her two kinds. Wh

to the old man's chest. Dr. Kent soon came out and the wife with him; he screamed at her, but she heard a

e exception of the books. S?ren Pedersen, followed by his wife Aase, came in from the passage through the dining-room

however, he said nothing but: "Come along!" went into the dra

t convenient time for him, he had just come from evening service. They only came in to ask if Kallem and hi

was a reflection of church in both countenance and manner. Josephine stoo

furniture." As they were looking at it, Josephine opened her lips for the fir

h-

ing for us?" The minis

wning looks for help. "Ragni requires to be in

her; they sat down, the minister and Kallem opposite eac

"you have been travelling now for so long, and then arranging the h

ife Aase. Ragni was afraid that those two were still in the dining-room, and h

iged to employ S?ren Pedersen and his wife because the people we otherwise emp

dee

ey earn, and then stay away from their work for days; it wa

, that's

nd; she had to fetch something off the piano. The min

than in vain. But I will not go further into that story." He looked at his wife, who sat there in her tight-fitting dress, stiff and impenetrable, a piece of perfection from top to toe. Her eyes so

tor built his house so close to the hospital. It

t it for his brother-in-la

more money in houses, I would buy this

l stood there. "I don't think it is for sale," said she; "I

ty all over America. He spoke like one who knew all about it, and turned continually to his wife; if he did look at the others-

bony face; he had a pleasant voice, and his Melancthon eyes sparkled and glistened at all that was said. Hi

Of course it must be time to be going now," said he, as he rose from

. But he, too, had a wife who could

h tired, we will put it

r they were out of sight. He walked up and down the room a few times, then he turned a somersault (made a wheel on his hands). "Go and fetch S?ren Pedersen and his wife Aase to me!"--but he went himself. They were not to be found anywhere; Sigrid told him they had gone directly the

rlor again, the wife behind the husband; "listen to me. The minister says that you

ter speaks

dreadful dise

-in the l

ave it to me

or! but seriously, now; w

min

to her, and she collapsed into a chair. Yesterday already the doctor had seen what kind of people he had to do with; it did not take two minutes, before S?ren Pedersen was completely mesmerized and his wife Aase too, though she had only been looking on. The doctor commanded them to open their eyes again; they both did so at once. "Now listen here, S?ren Peders

e can'

sing all

V

r his examination, and had so completely gained the good-will of his congregation, that when, two years ago, the town and country parishes were separated, the congregation voted unanimously for him, and he got the living. He had worke

eir practices, in consideration of his having attended to the hospital before Kallem's arrival. The third doctor who belonged to the place was a young military surgeon, he was now at the man?uvres. His name was Arentz; he was possessed of a remarkably broad, powerful chest. Kallem recognized, by the accuracy of his knowledge, the very words of the books he

r if there was anything she was busy with; but seldom--as he had to go in to his books. A great change took place, however, when his colleague returned; his only thought was that of regaining lost

g his reading, stretched full length on the sofa, silently gazing at her; or, as was generally the case, stood looking out of the windows. If he did move away a few steps, it would onl

ng, and went about as happy and light-hearted as a bird. After dinner he was very fo

inclined to play, and soon taught him to do the same. She called their bed-room, "amongst the stars." The pigeons which were given her at Whitsuntide, she called "her Whitsuntide-lilies;" Sigrid she called "the seve

through the world," she wrote in one of her letters, and always kept returning to the subject of the tunnel; at last "they had reached so near to one another that she c

as raining, but they were protected by the projecting r

hea

en the wings as ev

what you m

were under a pair of

did not use biblical figur

ved! After that I got a step-father who was a clergyman, and insisted that the earth and human beings had been created perfect from the beginning, and that everything was made

ription of her childhood and educat

th extraordinarily tight sleeves, an old rusty waistcoat, much too short, and a pair of gray trousers made of the so-called English leather. He went about bare-headed, as a rule; but on grand occasions he carried a hat in his hand; he could not bear anything on his head, unless the weather were fearfully cold. There he stood in the office,

hat it was not easy to tell him what he wanted; but he

America; and that perhaps she might have some English books to lend him. As he had

freedom; "to go and be a slave for the Norwegians ...

ld are

ty, or rat

ed over

pleasure teach you English, La

him. He was studying an English book at that moment, and could barely understand what it was about. She not only proposed to help him, but tried to persuade him to accept her proffered help. On that very same afternoon, about five o'clock, they began; they sat spelling through a very easy book. When Kallem came home he found them with their heads close together, poring over the same book, the one black and rugged, the other small and well-formed with reddish hair; the one a stiff, grubby face with furrows and wrinkles; the other possessed warm bright eyes and dazzling colouring, and was full of spirit. She held her handkerch

e hearth; she said she cooked the food for many days at a time. She went about knitting with a shrewd and suspicious air. Kallem began to think they had agreed to live as cheaply as possible, so as to scrape as much money together as they could for the journey the

What a charming weapon," she said, and laid it down, locked it, and put the case on a shelf over h

t just now," said she, "

. A bell hung on the wall, a table, a bed, a long bench, and three wooden

wife were screaming or singing in front of the glass and bottle; it sounded like the long melancholy howling of a dog. Kristen Larssen laughed with a laugh that came from the very essence of his being. There was an unctuous

to feel Kallem's talent o

king. She startled Ragni by saying: "I don't know whether it will be a disagreeable piece of news to you to hear that I am S?ren Kule's sister." As she remarked how very uncomfortable Ragni looked, she quickly took her aside: "Pray do not think otherwise than that I should have acted exactly as you did," she whispered. "And particularly if I had met a man like your husband"--she pressed Ragni's arm. She was clever and free and easy, and had little idea that she was torturing the delicate feelings of the being whose arm she held. The fact that her face and figure had a resemblance to the "whale t

broad and glistening, encircled by thick white hair. "Now I know!" whispered Ragni, "I am sure they are rel

same arched face. They might p

y, they were wistful and resigned. He did not give one the impression of being a determined man, but of being kind-hearted and th

troduce you Fru Kallem, Fr?ken Kraby?" They bowed to one another rather shyly, but began to talk of the young man whom Fr?ken Kraby was like; h

id was the expression of her own thoughts. Alas! she had to leave the town in a few days forever! That this was the first, and perhaps the last, time they were ever to meet, drew them with a kind of melanchol

followed the Wizard's March, so unutterably weird; directly after that Selmer's "Child's Frolics," such a delicate, charming contrast; she played it with the same clear understanding and feeling of the smallest nuances; then came a quiet, old-fashioned song by Sinding, each note like a separate word; then a bright, lively song by Svendsen; and finished up with a f

stayed longer than that at a party; his grand-daugh

ome more music, the invitation was only too acceptable. So the lamps were lighted in the room, the piano opened, and an Italian barcarole went rowing away out through the open windows. Old Pastor Meek was delighted, and ventured to ask whether his grand-son, who was at the school here, might come and hear Fru Kallem play--of course only if it was quite convenient. Unfortunately, he was so taken up with his music that he had reached the age of nineteen without having passed his stud

sat down t

as might have been expected, and with a low voice, as though one were finger

the morn

en rays a

snow-cove

in the d

i

hat turns

like an ange

t is m

clear m

stormy

my hear

no mor

o

e morning

ers have burs

having broke

ing a pro

wo

esh green cro

ave a sight

t is m

clear

stormy

my hear

no mor

o

the morn

ength that g

nd storm

thy soul, s

rm

e world in

good to ea

t is m

clear

t strength

ost dange

thou woul

e

ere peculiar. Ragni exclaimed:

n's words" was one of her translations! His cousin had got it into a Norwegian-American paper; and from that it had gone further still. This coincidence was sufficient to make Kallem go the very next day to Karl Me

ntered the room quickly, as if he had practised it, and then his coat or his sleeve caught in the door handle, or he did not shut the door the first time he tried, or his legs tripped him up, or he dragged a chair along with him, or knocked up against the servant who had just put down something on the table and was leaving the room. He never looked anyone in the face, his really fine eyes were sleepy and dull, his cheeks were ashen-

othing of all the old women Kallem brought in to her so that she might supply them with warm woolle

town, Josephine had paid them a flying visit one morning in their garden, with some flowers from old Kallem's grave; the brothers-in-law met in the street and by sick-beds; then, too, Kallem sometimes met his sister, who was very good to the poor; but she did not come to him, nor he to her; neither was there any party given in their honor at the minister's house, as everyone had expected; in fact, there were no more parties at all. Not for a moment did Ragni doubt the reason of this. Kallem did not

an hour with his book; he made Karl play whilst he sat there. In his capacity as doctor he had forced his way to his confidence; he looked after him with watchful friendliness, and soon the youth came into the room more at his ease, and did not sneak away so quickly. And at last she took courage--after earnest entreaties from Kallem--and said to the youth one Sunday morning: "No, don't go upstairs; come, let us try to play some duets together! We will take easy pieces," she added. He was in despair; but as good luck would have it, he nearly overturned the piano stool as he was going to sit down, and almo

m then what a miserable performance it had been; he had got tired after barely half an hour; a young man who could not stand more than that disgusted her. "Oh, you everlasting ?sthetic!"--he went to look for the youth, and sacrificed his delightful Sunday aft

rking-man's unbearable smell of stale perspiration from clothes and body. His breath reached right across the table; she felt it too, even if it did not really reach her. He pulled forward his chair, sat down, and opened his book, and when he had found his place, he sent his cold, horrible eyes across to her warm, startled, dove-like ones, startled beyond bounds. His long, black-smudg

g, and looked up at her, vexed and suspicious. Then she in a most uncertain way reiterated her correction; but never could she succeed in making it clear enough to him; he had always to ask for further explanations. She repe

ing him to ask all those extraordinary questions, which sometimes would have done honour to a philologist--all this she neither overlooked nor undervalued. But to her he

very good friends. Both of them got on so well together--Ragni found out what there was to do, and the other one did it. Ragni

cessful attempt at duet-pla

k about it? Shall

-it won't do!" answ

age." She took it out, he stood at a distance of two ells and lo

he "Mountain Brook," and he had often played it for Kallem upstairs; now it ha

that made him shiver. But now he was himself in new clothes, and his hair was cut and well arranged, as was his whole person. And the "mountain brook" came rushing from under her nimble fingers; if h

. "It is Sunday," said she, "

N

e go for

you....

fur cap, and she appeared in her pretty cloak

the hill and m

most musical woman he knew. For her sake he would so gladly roll in the dust, shoot himself with a pistol, or jump into the lake. This was no imaginary woman, it was Ragni Kallem in the red silk dress under the soft cloak, and the American hat with feathers--the one that all his companions admired so much. Those eyes gazed at him; and he dared not go down to their very depths. She walked and talked with him before everybody. Then he too began to talk, as they went from winter in America to winter in the forest districts. His father, Pastor Meek's son O

again, and much better than at first; they wished to practise it well so as to play it some ev

ce far niente," very much got up, but at the same time very slovenly; she began to think him quite good-looking, and had no objection to take him by the hand. She helped him with his lessons; especially with his English. His learning was very scrappy, so Kallem proposed tha

onger. At first this went on only in the gymnasium, but soon they began in the room, in the passage, even on the stairs, just before dinner, just before supper too: "Up with your legs, lad!" How Ragni laughed every time he tumbled down again. At last she too became anxious that he should succeed; but he never could manage it; he was "too limp." Then it became a matter of honour for him; and the same for her too. She took a great interest in trying to make a "man" of him; his limp appearance, his tendency to dream and idle away his time, annoyed her greatly; she told him so. But h

eement with Dr. Arentz, the young military surgeon, that he should be his assistant. This was arranged by the end of November, and from

re truly "Bourbon;" but it was melancholy, or rather gloomy. Kallem accepted the invitation, and at once made arrangements with his colleagues to enable him to get away. But as the time drew near Dr. Kent fell ill, and Ragni was obliged

side, she was going to begin again; he had to get in and scold her. As soon as her tears were checked, he got down again and looked up at Karl, who sat there happy and healthy. "I

ey de

y they had occupied his time very much. But already the third day, which was Christmas Ev

fe from up on the new house, the first day they came to the town. In the winter, mason Andersen went about and did pedlar business whilst his own trade was at a stand-still, and in crossing over a forest ridge he had lost his way, fallen and hurt himself, and had to lie there until, by the merest chance, he had been found. Kallem found his inconsolable wife with the deaconesses, and heard from her that h

eatened, and as it was painful at the slightest ray of light, there was probably greater danger at hand. Swollen bluish-red patches on the face; the fingers of both hands quite white and without feeling; the backs of the hands twice their usual size and covered with large bliste

er were laid on his eyes, with urgent instructions to change constantly; his face was rubbed in with oil and wrapped in a thin sheet of wadding, the same with the hands; the wound in the leg was syringed with carbolic water, and a small bleedin

pain--less from the fracture, but more particularly down the shin-bone to th

re church began. Meanwhile his eyes were attended to; they were less swollen, but could not bear the light; atropin was used to them and the compresses changed for a light bandage. Kallem was on the lookout when Andersen's wife came back with the minister; he went to meet them. According to his opinion, Andersen's right

r him in church to-day; "they all know me," said he. The minister agreed to it, but on the spot he offered up a heartfelt prayer for him and for all who were dependent on him. The sick man was much cheered by this prayer; he whispered: "I have made a covenant with God about my foot," then lay quite quiet whilst the minister pronou

the knee-joint; unfortunately, too, one of the larger veins lay pressed between the fractured extrem

g had to be amputated; it was

ight be no possibility of his raising himself in bed and changing his position; if a thrombus were started, it would be all over with him. He was laid in a wire ba

iet. They gave him wine, but in tablespoonfuls, so that he need not move; in the same

together with the danger threatening if Andersen were in any way agitated. He grew quite fond of her broad, intelligent face with the

s," whisp

his shin-bone pained him; occasionally too he felt a pain in his heel. Toward evening his vital powers were much stronger, and he wished to see the minist

f nothing else. "I think now I can say that God has heard my pray

a pledge of God's mercy to the sick man, and had allied him still more closely with his Saviour. Andersen

make him th

I have so muc

he thought his pray

good thing to pray

s way in this. So the minister yielded. But he did it more on her responsibility than on his own, and it passed over. Kallem had just

vercoat and hat on, his hand on the door-handle; Kallem's tone and words off

then, that if you now tell Andersen his l

minister, angrily, w

He wrote a lengthily detailed letter to Rag

in bed, and that he was not to talk so much. In the afternoon Andersen wished to take the sacrament, but the deaco

n there so long that he was all-powerful. Andersen repeated his wish to him too in the most decided way, and the porter thought it could not be avoided; he would take the responsibility on himself. Shortly after the minister

ed if there were

ther

young, he had given a boy a rupture with the same foot that now was

N

thinking so much about it, and had

othing else

N

Andersen was silent while this went on. After the prayer the minister gave hi

w there is a clean page. Let us write down the leg on that, that it

ncluded in the coven

promise my wife and children that m

out his frost

inister's face. "I cannot do this,"

em to his eyes, but they were met by the bandage. "We cannot question the justice

's voice, or was it the actual oppo

ung the bedclothes aside and fell back on his pillow, put his hand on his chest, crying out that h

r and the others were waiting outside; they ran for Doctor Arentz and Doctor Kent, but before either

I

ho had to pay for it. He w

ve the place as porter and steward at the hospital. Accept it and begin at once to-morrow to pack up and m

es

necessary. Everything else is ready

further. She was to atone for her mistake by doing

d from others that he had been ill, which he thought likely enough. A few d

le town was in a tumult. There must be something peculiar about belie

his wife like a heavy beam. Josephine had to provide money for starting

had a true and faith

to the farm one moonlight evening just as the yard and a good part of the road were filled with sledges; some had people in them, som

d just got her fur on when she felt herself embraced from behind. She gave a scream and looked up. What delight that was! And Karl, who stood aside in a corner struggling to pull on his long boots--without a sound or word he pulled them off again, his fur too, flung his legs up in the air and away he went on his hands to gr

is wife. She looked so sweet wrapped in all her furs that he several times tried to kiss her--a very difficult task. What a lot she had experienced! As he listened to her it became clear to him that it was only now she was enjoying her youth. He had never seen anyone so happy, had never known that she had such a longing for enjoyment in her. The same thing struck him later in the evening, as they danced, played games, chattered, played, ate; she was enjoying herself now for many past years. Whether it was a ponderous wood-owner who took her round her slim waist and carried her off so that she barely touched the floor with the tips of her toes, or wh

s informed that he had gone away! A telegram from Dr. Kent, who was ill again, made it impossible for him to remain longer. A few hasty lines, scribbled while he ate his breakfast, comforted her a

"club." And he decided to accept it. The invitation was in his sister's hand-writ

decided to let her stay where sh

nth day had passed without any crisis, and when this night was half through, the ninth day would be over too. Would she survive it? Both upper and lower tips of the lung were affected. The heart was weak, the pulse very feeble, and there were other bad symptoms. Should he try to brace up the hea

here he stayed; it was a

bone, her worn-out hard-working hands resting on the ragged sheet. But the man who sat beside her was not strong like she was; no, he was indeed a poor weak thing! A good-natured face, so far in keeping with the violin on the wall that perhaps a string had cracked in himself before the one now hanging there had given way. Tired and worn out by night-watching, he sat there quite by himself, not because the neighbours were chary with their help, but becaus

had a book with him and tried to hold it under the lamp, now and again he took in a little of it, but it was speedily forgotten. Not a word was spoken, but there were groans and sighs. The last shouts outside in the distance, the last sound of bells died away, the last door had long since been shut, the night was gray a

book, held it up, laid it down--and went to take her temperature. Her strength was fast ebbing away; the husband saw it in his face and he struggled to keep back his tears; the doctor warned him to be quiet. One more trial, and soon after she fell asleep. But was that really sleep? He listened. The others looked at him and he at them. He left the bedside for a little while to return to it with fre

vy fall of snow. Not a single light was to be seen in any window, with the exception of that one watching over the newly-kindled spark of life. As Kallem went past the saddler's shop he could not resist knocking at the door; but they were sound asleep in there. He knocked again, for

unen, and behind him could be heard Aase's no

dinner with me and brin

I

llen snow in great heaps. The storm passed away; but the snow fell on with equal violence. People from the country who were going to the ball got the snow-plough to dr

t of the first Christmas ball, and especially amongst those young people from the country who drive in, ready-dressed for the ball underneath their furs. But just as the snow-plough good-naturedly pushes the superfluous snow to bo

ing about to-day drunk with happiness, and with brandy, which the neighbours forced on him. The children had been there to dinn

ut he had walked on his hands to perfection, and the saddler had had much to say about the mason Andersen's death. It was truth had killed Andersen;

e. Karl had enclosed a report of her state after the doctor's departure, and that was amusing too, especially a description of

ster's wife was the first ball-room lady in the town! The gentlemen fought for the chance of merely whirling her once round in a cotillon tour. He could see her in fancy, tall, bare-necked, dark-eyed, warm and glowing from dancing. Yes, he would have a da

a sound all round. Rain has a sound, and has too a scenery of its own, but snow envelops and hides away everything, never does one feel so utterly alone as in the midst of a fall of snow. Kallem had not even a garden fence to guide him, he did not stumble over a single stone by the way, none of the t

f boats lay up-turned down on the sand at the end of the beach street; they looked like white elephants at rest. The sea was like a sea of snow; but strange to say the island had floate

ten o'clock, but still there were no eyes of fire glaring from out the house. Everything was shut up, extinguished, and sn

where a fox and a polar bear were hopping about together. There was tripping an

und about a large house; it was from there the squeaki

in their fat. They were not in ball-room dress, but here came some who were. And when at last he found his way to the right stairs, several gentlemen in evening dress passed him on t

fog--wished him good-evening, thereby settling the fact of his arrival, so he pursued his way mechanically and took off his outdoor garments. In the passages were more heated and perspiring people. The one seemed to be running away just because the other ran, their conversation was meaningless, their eyes wild, their laug

all the men who stood disengaged near the door; they were all togethe

w nothing of Norwegian life but the west country and Christiania. A ball in a little Norwegian provincial town is a peculiar thing. Ladies and gentlemen who would adorn any grand Parisian ball, move easily and lightly about among young people who take things heavily in daily life, neve

ar topsail breeze. There went a well-known railway man, a thin individual in a tail-coat, with upturned face and hopping about with body swaying from side to side; if he hopped on his right foot, the whole body went to the right, if on the left, then he bent to the left, always keeping time in the most conscientious way, and so happy--as happy as one of his own whistling engines; his partner laughed all the time but not in a shy way; on the contrary she was enjoying herself. And they kept on dancing, starting afresh almost the moment after they sat down. Then a business man swept by, directly after him an officer, both irreproachably got up, and with young, fresh partners in proper ball-dresses; then followed a mad-looking individual with long floating hair, dancing with a tall, dark woman. They dashed through the middle o

im, that all stood staring at these two, who swung round now to the right, then to the left, then twirled round on the same spot, then dashing right round the room. No fresh couples joined them, all were looking on, and little by little many stopped who were dancing; they wished to look on too. There was this drawback about the cavalry officer, that he was no taller than his partner, but he was a strong, manly-looking fellow who danced splendidly. For these two thoroughly healthy people dancing was a passion and intoxication; or it had that appearance. And it intoxicated others. Kallem c

wish to dance with you, Josephine." He drew on his gloves. "Will you allow me?" and he bowe

rapid dancing; but her dark eyes b

a little and waited. But as there seemed no chance of be

ver do!" wh

ut soon he perceived that it was quite unnecessary; she bent and glided to the slightest pressure of his arm. They were not so alike that they quite suited, nor yet so unlike that they clashed;

like one, their dancing was light and graceful, they were so happy. But all they were thinking about could not now be discussed while they thus held each other entwined; it had all somehow got mixed up. They belonged to one another with all the strong connecting power of their natures, especially now that the depth of that nature had been reached. All that seemed to separate them fel

s more like their mother than she was; she recognized again in him all that had been so clever and good in their mother, although it was largely mixed with the stormy elements that had been their father's. She could have

altz came

nd grateful. They met Lilli with the cavalry lieutenant, she quite done up on a

vercoat, sealskin boots, his hands deep down in t

this moment, when her spirit seemed to amalgamate with his, everything was left to shape itself as it best could and would. Something evidently weighed her down in daily life; it

was not visible. His sister seemed to be standing in the air in front of him, bar

agni borne along by the heavy wood-owner, so that she barely touched the floor with the tips of her toes; she whirled round with the small children, or hopped away with the "black-c

Ragni used to play for him, the door was opened and in came Ragni. He could hardly believe his own eyes! There she was, b

after a little, "it was just always the same t

ose is

ho have bee

ose is

you know that Karl is not a

ar

how nice. But totally different to his brothers and sisters; hast

agine tha

. We will be alone now, may we not? W

Are you now ti

have him always about us,

s rather tiresome,

g to ask one thing more; but you must

what

at I have come back. Please not! L

st got some ch

n either! oh, no!"

ar, darlin

fish of me; but I cannot do it

ng, singing, singing all the while, so the tubercular bacilli that the doctor was studying danced straight away to meet the song that was to deal them their death-blow; they sang right up to the kitchen door, so the whole scullery seemed to dance, the coffee-kettle boiled

I

al Aune. But he found "wife Aase" alone in the shop, occupied in helping one of Sissel's children up into a saddle; four of them were in the shop, the fifth was lying in the next room. S?ren Pedersen was not at home; he was with Kristen Larssen, who was ill. Kristen Larssen? Yes, he had had dreadful vomitings, at last nothing but blood came up; but he would not see or speak to the doctor

he window and the table, pressed closely to the wall, sat his wife, knitting; her kerchief was pulled so far forward that the face was darkene

ing many rich thin

e had so

n ill in this

, now an

his time," said sh

eel any p

w. But it co

he chest an

es

the pain c

, y

very day," was heard c

e size of a walnut in the pit of the stomac

s grown

, y

quickly," remarke

more slowly, she seemed to grow quite stiff; the doctor tried to keep a quiet countenance, but she was not to be taken in. Kristen Larssen's cold eyes also followed him about

ness. Both Kristen Larssen and his wife looked disap

were some of his own English ones, and there was also a work on mechanic

is t

ed. As he went on with the explanation little by little, Larssen's fingers touched the wheels and the pins

n tools. Kallem's revolver had been taken out of its case, and he heard now that it was the only thing that Larssen had repaired since Christmas. All this talk of S?ren's was

at there was no hope for Kristen Larssen; this was undou

hining face disappeared by all sorts of back ways, his

then you, who know him better than I do, will have t

nor did he stop to speak to anyone in the street, but they all asked after Kristen Larssen. When he went to see the sick man for the first time after Pedersen had told him what was the matter, there was not a word said about it. Larssen lay there with his invention in his han

s occupied with something which was very near its completion. Then came the minister. He began in a nicer and more careful way; but perhaps just on that account did Larssen lose all patience; he gave vent to all his collected bitterness in words that stung, and the

the sick man's fits of pain; he said it was like the constant pricking of thousands of pins--and whilst he was in such pain the singing only irritated him. So Kallem had to interfere and forbid all such doings. Two lay-preachers, the

ing, so Kallem took no further notice of what was outside except just asking to have something hung before the window. He was deliberating whether he should tell Kristen Larssen the whole truth, and he came to the conclus

r up the street a lady was walking about slowly, as if she were waiting for

n at the window down

red under her hood; "it is not my habi

I really saw s

es, I di

u know

to you, Edward. I knew you ge

you want

he noticed how a

l take the responsibility on your

lieve in he

did you s

. No, I don't

hey hear such words. You will lose all you have gained here by your work if you talk l

orment a man like Kristen Larssen, too. As long as he has his powers of reasoni

at they want wi

what is

and it is for your own sake I beg you no

say that they can spare themselve

s too

s depend on one's disposi

nto a state of coldness of the so

nough, and who thinks exactly in the same

hat is i

arge body with three heads, and heard that the head in the middle was son to the two at the sides, the father and mother (for you know that the Hol

lt a stab at his heart; she was aiming at Ragni! His sister was cruel, and looked cruel like in her school-girl days, and

ed to fight. She whispered: "I think you----!" she trembled wit

the street. He felt an indescribable fear

t Kristen Larssen, the scoffer and blasphemer, was received in Kallem's house, that Ragni gave him English lessons, and that Kallem had long conversations with him. For the majority of the congregation Kristen Larssen appeared to be a regular devil, and when any new arrivals, both men and women, sought his company (like the S?ren Pedersens), i

been allowed to talk to him quietly, she would have told him all this; she was not a

that caused it. The death of Andersen, the mason--the more her husband was upset by it, the more noticeable was the contrast between them--and at a particularly unfortunate

's manner, her dancing, her dressing, and her friends were an abomination to her, and the minister's perpetual love-making she thought ungodly. The little boy became her spy. Josephine was sitting one summer day on the other side of the open door, and heard her questioning him as to who had be

the bottom of all the minister's religious admonitions, did not make her more in

ch in love that he was not master of himself. But not because she enticed him--just the contrary! When she sometimes became tired of him as of everything else--for there we

k-bed of his friend, that showed him what he had neglecte

, too, it became clear to her that her brother had seen through her own dubious conduct. From the moment she had danced with him, she felt that no one thought so much of her as he; but since their last meeting, she had discovered that he despised her religious transactions.

Josephine did not always appear at morning prayers, and if they had any guests, evening prayers were given up. The minister always either beg

ip was over; if she knew it was coming, she went to bed; he then seldom followed her; it was slippery ground to tread on up there. But this evening he did come. She had heard him moving in

y n

g as I am u

ill

oom; to the left a door that led to another dressing room. Beside this was a staircase leading from the passage by the study. She could hear him coming up for the second time; she was now in bed

She lay in her white nightdress, her black hair done up in the usual knot;

g cannot be postponed." He looked at her sorrowfully; she looked back silently at him. "You know what is the matter with me. I live here at your side in affluence and comfort, and amongst my congregation in earnest worship. But a Christian does not grow in grace in this way. The other

w s

not truly a minister's wife; the foll

can act as you think rightly yourself. As to our home, we only live as people of our means and tastes should do; if this does not suit you, w

e a change in everything, even down to t

regard for these everlas

do not understand t

swered him, harshly, "that is, I refused to be as sens

he first crisis arose from the cravings of nature and your resistance; that opened m

ting him. "Yes, I forbade you to begin trying you

entirely to repentance and prayer, you never consecrated your life to all absorbing worship; your heart is not set on things above, only on the things of this world. You wish to be a Christian,

o accompany you to the Z

ogether in all good works, dear Josephine,

," she answered; "say right

t and for the poor, th

And it is I who started the 'mutual association.'" (This was the name of an association consisting of some of the well-to-do women of the town

er. But living in luxury one's self, and now and then condescending to visit

move down to the poor part of the t

t be done by and through faith, for Jesus' s

ered not

us to try and lead a true Christian life?" his eyes

see why I should make my own life unpleasant;

y! To believe in Jesus, and to live t

it is rubbish to say that one requires to believe in Jesus s

esus, you would under

I did not beli

ive year out and year in with you, and have got no further!" He bent down toward her; there were tears in his eyes. "How happy we might be togeth

e exclaimed

both arms under her head; her bosom heaved, she was much agitated. "I do not know whe

ust as yo

llow lay with his arm under him and half-open mouth; Tuft knew the forehead well, it was his father's over again, and was like his own too, the hair, t

ntinue in this way. God help us bot

ature became evident; she felt this. It moved her deeply. She heard him wandering

dreadfully; he haunted the place; hardly anyone dare pass the house. A rumor got abroad that Kallem had lent Larssen

best. But neither had they come to any mutual agreement or reckoning, nor had they taken leave of each other. He had begged her to

only visible part of S?ren's shining face was his nose, eyes, and a bit of the cheeks; all the rest was covered by a huge woollen comforter, wound round and round, and by a fur cap drawn well down to the eyes; his great big hands were in a pair of huge woollen gloves, of the kind that fishermen use for rowing; and his feet were in fur boots. S?ren Pedersen had grown rather stout, his greatcoat was somewhat too tight; he looked like a lobster with all these excrescences; Aase, in a little cloak and hood, kept by the side of the widow, who stood there tall and thin, in Laplander shoes and loose ample dress, as wide at the top as at the bottom; she wor

l waiting for Kallem, who had been detained, but now came along at full speed. He took off his cap to the widow, and was greeted by the oth

o those of the people he lived amongst, and he has been punished for them. His and his wife's object in life was to be able to go to free America." (At t

that he was the cleverest man I have met wi

e impression, whilst we sat together, that he was alway

ho benefited by his ingenious work, most particularly those whose life has been eased by his clever inv

--and the forgiveness of sins, oh, oh, fare thee well!"--within an ace he had fallen into the grave. In great disgust S?ren Pedersen seized him by the arm, turned to his wife, and said: "Dearest Aase, you say th

then thrown on to the coffin; it sou

t him with sorrow-stricken eyes, she nodded with suppressed feeling, she could not speak. No one could have received warmer thanks. Ragni was much startled when she likewise took her hand, for she knew she did not deserve it. The

X

t his customers were principally from the country, and not from the town, otherwise it would have fared badly with him. Ragni did not know that she was more watched and talked about now t

ff when they stood each on one of the runners behind the doctor's sledge; or if they ran together with the hand-sledge, or played duets for some visitors--someone had always noticed a look that could not be mistaken, heard words that had some

ere numerous in this part of the country, and had fe

o the student Kallem's room; it was in the same passage. "Dear me, what harm could there be

equire to cross the passage. One of her remarks was, "Wh

second, that people probably thought that Kallem would not take the least notice of them; free-thinkers generally have rather loose ideas about morality. Toward the beginning of spring, Kallem was seen accompanying his wife and Ka

him there, but his unstability gave her much trouble, and his passionate nature grew with his bodily strength. His great devotion to her kept this in subjection; but the way it of

to be at home for the summer holidays, but from there travel down to Germany to study music. Although he had accustomed himself to live and think under Ragni

riend's house--the only one he now and then saw since he came t

d with regard to

and began singing her praises ec

to make a clean breast of it, a

warn Karl; he had only just heard the report himself, it had not got about much yet. He bore Karl's raging patiently, and told him

n three and five o'clock on Wednesday afternoon. At three o'clock they had played duets together and had been in the best of spirits; at five o'clock she had fixed to go through some of the last remaining work for his examination with him, but he came home so hopelessly absent and inattentive, that they were obliged to give it up. From that day he had been always like that. Kallem teased Ragni, and told her the yo

ncholy style, and always left them to seek solitude; then Kallem said: "How black is life!" He imitated the youth's languishing

manner quite alarmed her. But when Karl saw that she was still standing on the steps, he jumped down from the carriage and rushed up to her again. She retreated, but he followed her, looked at her, and cried so bitterly, that the servant

r, as well as Kallem's serious face. Especially did they noti

er they had done right in having him in the house; they ought to have foreseen that it would end like that. But nothing was said about this either by one or the other

ilding, or of seeing it all arranged and put in complete order. And now that all the summer te

hey were alone, something seemed to affect all their moods, something they had both thought of for long, and that grew and grew for that ve

n? Was the fault Ragni's? Woul

erself? Not even show a wish to say something, so that he could help her out with it? What was the reason? Was it terror of an examinat

e Berlin postmark on, from Karl Meek! It was most welco

nks and greetings--and at the end a question: "May I be allowed to write to you again?" They both felt at once that the real letter consisted of these four or five lines, all the rest w

more in a spirit of obedience and good nature, she sat herself down and wrote humorously, as she got over

ards. A very stout man sat on the seat, swaying about with the jolting of the carriage, like milk in a pail. Ragni's pigeons were winging their homeward flight from the church roof a

t drawling dialect, and that north country monotony, all that belonged to S?ren Kule! His blind eyes were partly tu

t go travelling about? The inheritance which twice had fall

at once that she had retreated into the big room to hide herself; they met there, s

he places bequeathed to the family, and is going to move up here, then Joseph

ught he had not treated well, and to whom he h

openly with him. I can at the same time make it clear

n the house just behind theirs; i

e had fallen to him; and were t

d with a garden in front; in the passage he could hear sounds of washing up from the kitchen, and looked in there first. There stood the Norland giant kitchen-maid with tucked-up sleeves, as unchanged as if they had parted y

es

that you lived here,"

ought he, you have k

d you co

me yes

Kristi

er, but suspicious looking eyes, put his head cautiously out at the door. Kallem shut the kitchen door, the other then came quite forward and shut the room door; so they st

t your

um-mer." The man l

e Kule to

oices lowered. Meanwhile Oline told him all about her husband, that he had been pupil at a seminary, had passed a mate's examination, spoke Spanish, and was now Kule's secretary and right hand. Then she told

is your wife? So you made her your littl

big roller-chair, with the same board before his legs, with the same Spanish pictures round him, the sam

outer. The "swimmers" lay as usual on the arms of t

deep groans showed that he was agitated. Kallem too had difficulty in keeping quiet. To cut sh

he

Kallem, clearly showing by his tone of

remain li

es

t would be useless to expect him to have a shadow of regard for Ragni; he was seize

r. "Be so good as to give

igation. Consequently, in future he was to be their neighbour. They must therefore try and bear their own past, as others did. He hurried on, away from

. At once she read her doom in his face--ay, had even heard it in his footstep. She san

hook her head, for it was not that. No, it was the cruelty of it, that was what she could not sta

ave warmth. Yes, certainly--but a good name! "In depriving me of that, they shut out all warmth

away from here!"

doctor is rich enough to buy up all that you have sunk in this place? And your

re going to be unhappy," and he

you thin

believe

it that

ars. He folded her in his arms and waited quietly; she must fee

Ragni

mrade, the best you have in the worl

him, as though wishing to

for her morning round in the garden; he might come driving past. At last she sat down to the piano, but got up again without playing. Then she wrote a letter to Karl; she owed him an answer to two of his, and she must occupy herself with something. She wrote according to the mood she was in, that all kinds of wickedness, lying, treachery, double dealing, arbitrary persecution, cunning, deceit, were like a death-ch

, she felt a desire to write it all down, and, when the occasion offered, to give it into Kallem's faithful keeping. She could no

at her, but was himself in a great state of excitement about something fresh and quite different. He was about to per

and opium. But the illness was a serious one, and Arentz wished that Kallem should join in the consultation. The wife was opposed to this--not exactly because she was a zealous Christian, but because she had an uncomfortable feeling when with Kallem. She was a good, warm-hearted creature, but

both sent for; but both were honest enough to say that nothing could be

drove herself to fetch him; he was willing to perform the operation and at once. Without allowing himself to be over-rule

by all; all were interested, both in town and country, and his wife's state was such that, should the husband die, she would go out of her mind. From h

d it was even worse the first few days after. In such like emergencies she would always keep all petty trifles from him with rare tact, encouragin

carriage rumbling past without trembling more than the least little wee atom; she was accosted by the Norland servant going to market with her basket, and although she felt it was like being stung by a snake, yet she survived

stoves burnt with a roaring noise rivalling the rumbling of carts and carriages outside on the hollow-sounding frosty ground. Each day there was a

i thought about getting her down to stay with her. The last two or three letters from Karl had been decidedly home-sick ones, he felt so melancholy; so she had no particular wish to peruse this last letter. She was just then reading an American novel, one of Howell's best, an impressive and exciting soul-picture; so she sat down t

ong I have known what was said about us. Such a cruel slander! It was this that nearly drove me mad last summer, when I heard of it just before we parted. Is it not terrible? I

s, that we should speak about it! Do not let Kallem hear of it! I am so dreadfully

n a separate sheet, and w

ng else which I am now comi

be more dear. But now we are as it were linked together by this shame and grief, we two must bear it alone, and now, God

you! I write this weeping. I

ed it forth. But if you knew what joy it is just to write it down and know that you wil

lamps were lighted in the office, and it was warm; but both rooms were empty, the big ro

? was

she was o

own stretched out toward him. "Forgive me," she said; "but I felt so tired, and then there was a

ere was about him, his voice was so st

es not thriv

e get her

ou for that. How good you

he only reason why I did not speak of it sooner

lightful. But supposing

eel your pulse! Oh, it is nothing but rest that you need. It was right of you to go to bed. I sh

s lying on

while eating. After that I

s round his neck, drew him down to

ep on the stairs and going to the ro

something she would never get rid of, and then she began to shiver. Cold, cold, cold; now it had reached to the very innermost. She felt now, with a shud

d like a whispering voice amid thundering billows. Poor boy! She lay there in the dark that she might not be seen, a

t of all her sorrowful reflections. He lighted the candle behind her, looked into

ter. A thick fog lay over the mountain ridges, so thick that it looked like a separate, impenetrable country, bordering on the mountains and stretching as far as the eye could reach. A long tongue of this strange

f leafy trees began, long-necked aspen and twisted birch, showing light yellow against the dark; nearer still there was mountain-ash and bird-cherry, blood-red in colour; maple, too, and other trees in en

uld not go further, nor yet go in before she had decided what she wa

in harvest-time, clover-fields in stubble. But see those discontented gray-looking fields further away from th

cence of that first spring? Ah, now awoke her longing for the children. Now she was su

short little letter to Karl Meek, that he must not write to her oftener just now, perhaps later on; she would let him know

r to try and get her feet warm, she said to him that she must see the children again, and it seemed to him that the recollection of her life together with Kule had turned into a longing for the children;

come of a stronger race. They were big, fat children; they stared at her without being able to understand her. And all the other strange faces, always noticing and watching her. She would have gone home again directly, if she had not had such a very bad cold. Her next letter was a little more cheerful; not because she was better pleased with the child

ony at having her amongst them. He put forward "an unanimous request" to be allowed to keep her for a

ying how dreadful it was for her to be again amongst people who looked upon her as an improper person. Kallem was alarmed at her cold and at her looking so ill; t

? No, Karl had confided a secret to her which she did not approve of. Often before there had been, so to speak, knots on the thread, w

he longed for fresh air, but she refused, in the most determined way, to go for any walks outside the garden. At first she said it was so tiresome; when that excuse did not hold good, she hit upon a better one: she began to cry. He thought this was a strange symptom; was it possible that

nd thinner; he could not get her to eat. One evening, when he was out, she had as usual gone into the garden and walked about at dusk, had felt a chill afterwards, and grea

u a pain

es

is th

pointed to the r

you there wh

stove, rang the bell for the servant to fetch him some medicine, and then sounded her chest, asking her many questi

her chest; but the cough lozenges were a success. He concealed his distress by joking and by petting her--and in a few days she did actually seem as well as he could expect. And now she had become so obedient; she kept in the house quite

y a little capriciousness. However, she felt weaker even than she would allow. The next day she tried together with Sigrid; but after the first few steps she became so breathless that she was obliged to stop and rest; she begged Sigrid not to tell;

altered; it was quite true that Kristen Larssen's ghost had been seen! The latter years of his life Kristen Larssen had never played the violin; he gave it to Aune. But now he plays the violin, and in his own house! Di

w of the

o may t

un

we ha

search the house; and Aune is

hat did the doctor think of this, that the colonel's wife, went into the saddler's shop one day to tell them that she had dreamt she saw Kristen Larssen sitting in a long room, amongst many clever and learned men who were all being

my wife and I were here in the town, we met Andersen, the mason, Karl Meek, Krist

bout in a stupid sort of fashion; ther

s you, S?ren Pedersen, never think about the hundreds of people you an

convince S?

e spring. His wife and child had been away, and had only returned quite recently. During all this time his preaching had increased in severity, latterly it had had a passionate ring which foreboded a storm. He anno

his taken Kallem in; but now he was not to escape! His wife agreed to it, so one Sunday morning Kallem hypnotized him, in her presence, down in the office of the hospital--first of all on account of the brandy, but also to clear up this ghost story, which of course no other

e of his patients, and knowing that nothing was so dear to her as hearing news of her brother, he repeated Kallem's words. During dinner little Edward, who held forth everlastingly about these ghost stories, told them that Kristen Larssen had again appeared to two boys; one was a son of Aune, and the

nner-table, the minister reproved

tact

that I believed in ghosts?" The minister's tone was not arrogant or even reproachful, and she felt tha

got up to make room for her; he was glad she came in. She, however, remained sta

uld leave it to me t

sure that you

do you mea

ach him things that you yours

very red; for he felt that this wa

t is now in six days, six thousand years ago, and that the story of the first man and woman, and the patriarchs is anything but a tradition? Likewise eve

ched her he gave her a decided, yes, even a look full of power; this was not the look of an evil conscience, she fe

she, "I did not

rlasting truth that God created everything and ev

n this wise, instead

stand pictures

that it is onl

f no cons

ildren should not learn everlasting truths

e of excitement, and reproved her for it; surely t

oy's future, but yours and mine too, depend on this." She went u

very uncertain too; we know that everything did not exactly happen as the revered Book tells us; what we do not know is what the real state of things was. This only we do know, that our life proceeds from God, and in God alone can we be happy; therefore, let both chi

agement of my intelligence and character when I was a chil

erly you have come to this conclusion; th

!" But she added, more quietly: "I have never allowed faith in God an

e!" said he, but he si

out. Either you stop telling the boy those fairy tales which are not innocent ones, since they t

se of his; she had parried his attacks with sharp weapons; but never before had she talked like that or laid down conditions. For long he had been weighed down by the knowledge that she was brooding over something; but this fully armed purpose, sustained by s

le. "Have you more right to hi

and the law constitute the

a cage; her bosom heaved, her breathing was audible, the paleness of her face, her voice, her eyes, a

d of yourself? Woul

e as God orders me to do it.

you were so good and devoted. In that way you ruined my nature--that you did--it was meant for other things. You gave me an aim, a choice in life, I knew nothing of it myself. I tell you all this as it was, without

ld confront him in this way, she would have spared herself such a terrib

g! I have done it through that faith which you do not possess. My dear, I

ve had none other instead; I went about thinking it was a sin that I could not have the same faith as you; I was crushed and overwhel

d you have

, without as much as moving an eye. He stopped abrup

it has been a great loss for the world--and for

ot so little--it is more than most can do. As it is, what have I done? What empty trifles have I been struggling with? And to what have I attained? That I am on the point

e both know of wh

she scarcely knew that it had been in his thoughts), and partly because this man who made that speech owed everyth

e answered, seeking to wound him. "Nevertheles

t I have lost you, lost the peace of my home, lost, too, all joy

her of them would give way to such weakness. She stood looking out of the window; he walked up and down the room. There was a long, long pau

t believe in them yourself, and yet you can repeat them! Can I have any respect for such conduct? I must say, my brother is much more honest than that! If you come again to my boy with those tales without telling him that they are only fairy tales," and

allem returned home to dine; his dinner hour

the passage and went in and joined her; latterly he had an ever-increasing fear which he had to conceal. Was it the white apron that threw a pale shadow over her, or the st

ave a guest

ar

r; he was here this morning,

Karl get

Oh, here

g the time that Meek practised he had turned his attention particularly to diseases of the chest, which were but too prevalent in these parts of the country, and he took the most liv

he is

he matter

eason of my coming h

spoken t

Had she been playing when Meek knocked at the door? If that were the case,

ent and gloomy th

you and my wife come to

ther surprised. "Do you m

een one or other knotty po

, and remained sitti

now anything of it?

e she ought to tell you. It is very good of her not to do so. Bu

, do you

be obliged to

p from his scat

her useless, h

m thought there was a possibility of the youth's having relapsed in

k your wife real

or a while I thought, ... I'll tell you what! Can't you sound her chest?" His own doubts had become certainty, his heart beat so that he w

Has it not been

ation begins to work then there is danger for her. Besides, there was so

father?" asked Mee

d y

tor to the fish

. Meek merely nodded, Kallem clasped his head with both hands, hurried

her thinness, her colour! She saw his alarm but mistook the cause. Out in the kitchen she had been thinking; now they must be talking about Karl; now Kallem will hear why it is I get no m

. Meek would like t

ike a stricken deer, begging to be spared. But again he entreated her and began car

ething terrible was coming. Her startled eyes sought her husband's, and increased his suffering-

d the worst, and she did the same; he could see that. Could it be that she knew more than she would acknowledge? Concealed something just as he conceal

er hands were trembling and she tried to hide it; Meek noticed it! "Do you get very tired when you are out walking?" he asked. Again s

es

ough you were going to faint?" She now looked at Kal

es

"Yes, to-day I did," she said

ter I had sp

resh air, and then--" here he

gh I presume it hurts you here?" he poi

s up when you cough?" She made no

e; yesterda

or. "Was there blood mixed with it?" She nodded, her

y seemed to think of something he had to fetch from the office. He did not return. She understood the reason why, and for a little while she was doubtful whether she could get up from her chair, and felt as if she would faint again;

en he went out to the passage, put on his coat and hat, told the servant in

at last opened the door. Kallem was lying on the sofa, Ragni kneeling beside him close up to him. Sigrid annou

they had ever gone through; both in their letters and in speaking of it they had said that they felt as

t about doing; she had a good deal too to write, and whenever she was able she was thus occupied. She wrote, then scratched out; the whole thing, notwithstanding all her wor

the hour they first met--all her little ways, the most trifling proofs of her charm and talents, her failings and her silent poetical love, he lived all over again in equal joy and grief; it was all just as dear to him, and just as impossible to part with; countless incidents full of humour, warmth, fear, sense of beauty, devotion; they all followed him about like so many eyes. Where could he go to, what more could he possibly find to do? She was with him in all his work. Her portrait, taken in the third year of her stay in America, was standing on the edge of the stove;

in it, his capabilities, his faith. What in all the world had happened? He was bound to speak to her about it; was there anything

become! and fastened her large eyes on him with a faint, half-veiled expression: "I lay down for a little," she whispered; "only for an hour

, it has been more hurried than I could understand, for this reason, that I have not been watchful enough. There is something at the bottom of al

ou will find some papers in the first drawer to the left; they are all for you. You must re

ot to hear a

is for your sake I kept it secret," her eyes filled--"my own"--again a gentle pressure of the hand and a smile. He dried her tears with his handkerchief, lett

sked, "you wil

r, in Karl's handwriting; you may re

's letter

was barely visible; th

?" he wh

answered, without opening h

er, and took out the letter we know

s and rejected them; he would have gone to every soul in the place and told them they lied. He would force his way into the meeting-house one fine day when it was crowded, climb to t

hat free and open scope for malice and for unjust judging of others in this "Christian" community! Now he understood his sister--she had believed this slander? It was especially to talk to him about this that she had waited for him that evening when he--! And in her indignation at thi

osition should thus be ...! The wretches, the false guardians of salvation, psalm-singing egotists, heartless prayer-makers! He read Karl's letter over again; he felt so heartily sorry for him. Poor, poor fellow. His love for her was quite a natural thing; what good honest man would not adore anyone who had been wronged so unjustly for his

re about with him; then this would never have happened. None who had really felt a lasting impression of her goodness and

n, so weak and exhausted that she was on the point of fainting. What she had brought up in coughing was of a greenish colour and streaked with blood--well did he know the look of it. He accounted for this, thinking that he had stayed a

eek, telling him what had happened, and without entering into further details, he wr

p, and when at last she did awake, her eyes fell first on him. He waited on her, giving her something to drink, and all the questions h

was the best person he knew of for that sort of thing, and then she was truly devoted to them. Ragni nodded her consent. They never wearied of gazing at each o

red: "Po

he had forgotten something down-sta

me to be alone. He attended to all his hospital work, and received those of his

e most refined little person amongst them all--to him it was inexplicable; their blindness seemed so revolting. All those he knew were, for the most part, plain middle-class people, comfortable and fond of their homes in daily life, none of them particularly bright, of course;

ilence she would allow other people to keep their false, wicked belief in the slander, or she would let it go on increasing. How indignant he felt in his heart toward her! Although she was certainly not the originator of the report--he had to repeat that constantly, she would hardly sully her lips with such slander, she was too grand for that--still Josephine

When he was with Ragni he never had those feelings; her mere presence always did him good. He became deeply agitated if he did feel like that when with her, would well-nigh crus

ly sympathetic. Poor Sigrid could not go up much to her mistress on account of her crying. But would go all the same when such things as this happened--for instance when Fru Baier the colonel's wife brought a lovely flower in a pot which she had cherished and nurtured through the winter, and which she carried under her cloak to protect from the severe cold; it was to be taken up to Fru

's arms. He looked ill, and his manner was restless and confused. His long hair was in disorder, his oval face, large in itself, seemed to have grown larger; his eyes had a burning, languishing look in them, the like of which Kallem had never seen. They never left his own eyes. They besought his indulgence; they told a tale of bitter sorrow, and followed him about wherever he went. Karl could not control his fee

o tame them; but Karl cannot control his; they are

as calmer. Karl himself said he would be calm the moment he went up to her; he implored to be allowed to see her; but to no avail.

day, Kallem let her know that Dr. Otto Meek had com

l too?"

She lay quiet for a litt

o hear if anyone were

hut in by doors, the up-stairs rooms were always aired by means of it; so in that

for music,"

he evidently thought it was not wis

ne hand, in the other she held her handkerchief; she

will see

st

his request. He went in first and announced Dr. Meek, who then followed him in. Dr. Meek's broad back quite hid Karl, who placed himself in the door. Ragni lay with her face turned from the light, therefore toward the door. She did not see Karl, but he caught a glimpse of her thin, hollow-che

timidly from side to side; did she guess that Karl was there? Afterwards she moved a lit

here and have his former room again;--even if he were not allowed to see her again, he could not keep away. Kallem did not

m to come up to her. Karl promised to be quiet, oh so very quiet, and only to stay there a moment. In the passage he already began to walk on tip-toe and glided in, mastering his emotion. But as soon as he was under the influence of her eyes, as in olden days, he could feel that she was afraid of him and would rather he went away. This grieved him much; he stood there, the embodiment of an earnest entreaty to be allowed to stay.

e. He talked still less to Kallem, and not at all to anyone else. Every morning he was allowed to be up

here came a calm, and a melody arose, simple and touching; can that be meant for me? Then there came shrieks and yells breaking in upon this peaceful little melody; a few bars of melody and several bars of lamentation and crying, the first air rushing and mingling with the other, all done in a natural sort of way--almost too natural, for it became irresistibly comical. She had to be careful not to laugh, for she could not stand that sor

d just gone across to the hospital, and ran off himself, without hat or coat; he could not find him at once, so they did not get back before the fit was over. There was a

d face. She recollected how she had laughed at him, and she had heard from Kallem that in his fright he had run to fetch him without either coat or hat. She made a sign to Kallem that Karl was to come in. She smiled at him, even raised her hand a little, just a very little; was it to thank him? He ventured

do tha

m both. Before anything could be said, he stood upright again as though he would challenge them all, or had done some mighty deed of valour. Ragni lay there with eyes devoid

musing, since she had just been tidied and arranged after her attack and had had a fresh handkerchief given her. But

of Karl. He found him with his overcoat

re you g

was altogether impossible; nobody ever wanted him and he was fit for nothing. For long Kallem could not get in a word; the other would not let himself be comforted; his misery and worthlessness were too great, and he was utterly without talent. He h

uld feel in her presen

ht with horror of all Ragni must formerly have gone through with him.

u evidently have had more trouble with him than I had the slight

eaten him before he could succeed in hearing any of his own little pieces. At last he agreed, but with closed doors; Ragni, however, heard them and thou

her. He could paint beautiful pictures of all the peculiarities of her nature and person; could artistically depict some action or word of hers with such adoring fervour, that it was balm to Kallem's feelings; he stood in need of the warming rays of sympathy, for he was sinking with despair at her increasing weakness. She could not even keep her head on the pillow; it fell either to one side or the other, her eyes had an ethereal look, that seemed to sp

in that corner." She smiled and added: "I am not afraid of him any more now." Another time she sent for Kallem only to say. "You must not feel anger toward anyone--for my sake." She mentioned no name. Kallem pressed her hand; her eyes flashed on him in rapturous joy. Sometimes she tried to

y were one in their grief, and had no thought left unuttered. The gratitude they felt toward each o

had so much strength; each separate cough seemed to stab his breast; it cut right through him and crushed him; the cold sweat broke out on him when he heard her groans of pain; he could not bear to listen, yet he dared not go away.

tting beside him crying. This was the first thing he remarked;

hinks it will

y could not see his face, only the heaving of his shoulders, and hear his groans. Sissel stood at the other side. How wonderful it was to see the different degre

strength to please them; she tried--one can't say to smile, for that was beyond her power now; no, she wished to send th

it was written: "By and by." But he could not read it now, scarcely, indeed, as long as she still lay in the house. He went up to her book-shelf and gazed at it--the image of her own self. How often had he done this before and smiled at the titles of the books. His eyes now fell on "Vildanden" by Henrik Ibsen. He wa

child. Of course she was too refined and too timid; the world we have to battle in is still too rough; it must impr

I

osephine about little Edward's education had taken place, he had ha

he grew fretful and lost his appetite; Josephine had many a fight with him and at last had to be severe. Then he began whimpering and wanted to go to his grandmother; that was not allowed. But when his

the right side of his chest; during the night he was in a high fever, raving about Kristen L

etc.; but in the morning, when his father came up to

t Josephine had done was quite correct; he himself gave some orders respecting the necessary diet, and prescribed a mixture to be taken

e appetite, coughed less; his temperature in the eve

n invisible hand! In this way they were forced to draw nearer to each other, and they sought opportunities of talking to

next day he was tired of them; he listened to the fairy tales which his father and mother told him by turns, without asking a single question; he took no notice of his grandmother's visits. Sometimes he would grow quite hot, and directly after felt quite cold. Kent was

fter having tried the child's temperature: "We shall escape with a good fright, Josephine." She looked

er bedroom. Later on they heard from others that she suffered from decline; they

at this would doubtless be a blessing for his brother-in-law; possib

could see it by her increased reserve; only v

iting lying side by side.... She saw each sheet, each little detail, and he himself in a brown suit of clothes which she did not know. But she had never been in the office since it was furnished, and had never seen that furniture, nor the curtains and carpet; but she had no doubt whatever that it was exactly as she saw it. At any other time this would have produced a strange impression; but now it was all swallowed up in the fact of her seeing

om a distance. His high forehead seemed empty, his eye restless; his hands were no longer a small boy's rough little fists, they were ethereal. At times she would hasten up to him, just to be sure he was there. Ah me! it had come to that; but merciful heavens--surely she was not going to lose him? She seemed to

otherwise it pained him so that he cried out ... and each time she helped him, she could not make this out at all. She propped him up with air-cushions; he replied by heartrending entreaties to be left in peace. She no longer knew what was right or wrong. He would not even let her come near his legs; h

e spoke to no one about it. This new phase with the legs seemed to her so hopelessly mystical in its unreasonableness, that it made her afraid of the boy; he was no longer her boy. Just by chance later on she discovered a good deal of swelling r

praying. Across his father's head she heard the short hurried breathing of the little fellow, saw the shining yet indifferent look he turned on him. She, too, would ha

nflammation, that no worse symptom had set in, and that the swelling probably came from the strained position of the knees

han she had done for long, but stil

d herself so as to get up, but both Kent and the minister begged her to lie down again. Dr. Kent told her that Fru Kallem had died the day before. Both t

he will feel it deeply now, but he will get over it. It will but benefit him." Jo

their boy's illness and that time of mutual anxiety. These words from former days--coming as they did just then in her smarting grie

desires. In those days he had noticed nothing, but now he felt it at once. But just on that account, he felt he must have support, must have it chiefly in prayers for his sick child. So he turned to his friends at the meeting-house; he was sure of them. The painful eve

nt home and told about it. There were few like him when

loss of appetite and the constant anxiety, all began to tell upon this strong and healthy nature. Tuft s

was not to be buried there, but at the nearest country church. Thereupon his brother-in-law made known his indignati

she showed how impatient she had become. He had bent down over the boy, but

ve up smoking?" s

ll give it up." When he got up afterwards he

tly; his way of taking i

ulty of communicating his calm to others. The parents thought at first that the child ate with a better appetite, and took

Ragni's body. The coffin was white, and was on a sledge draped with black; Sigrid sat in front, beside the

Did that mean that Kallem did not suspect him? Or, which was more likely, that he had forgiven him?

d, or walking in her sleep, with her great hollow-eyed face surrounded by the long black hair, with eyes staring fixedly over the

I cannot sleep. My brother's w

he blood rush

ou say?" h

we shall have to pay for it; and s

not yourself. Let us fe

lp. All who can pray must

, de

py from the prayer-meeting--oh, you know them, make them come, do make them come, Ole, do you hear?" She began sobb

ting on the edge of the bed, and had put on his under-g

t it is God who has the power and n

sed, and hastened t

leased, and put down the lamp. "Thank you, I knew you

ke haste,

ust be careful when we pra

ose and open, the sleeves slipped from her shoulders--she had grown so fearfully thin-

urself too much in prayer, you might break

then, Ole?" flashed f

child?" There arose in him the painful recollection of A

Certainly! What else

ll events that is what I do. For then all is well, my soul

' Is that not right? Soften the heart of God?

, and he was so overcome that he had to put down what he had in his hands and cover his face. But when he looked up again he started to his feet; if she had had her arms full of the most costly china and had let it fall so that it was shivered to a thousand pieces ... she could not possibly have looked different, more

t strange train of thought were like a suggestion to him. A thousand times he had thought the same, Colonel

s on his way to Dr. Kent;

eful; it was not easy, pursued as he was by his thoughts. What became of the Bible's dogmas of the creation, the delu

to him it seemed as though death were knocking; it was so, too. At last a servant appeared rather grumbling, but as it was the minister she went to rouse the doctor. Patient Dr.

at once; but sent to say that Kallem and he would come at eleven o'clock precisely. They came, too, at that hour; but the minister had been called away, so there was no one to receive them, Kallem had not put his foot inside their door since the day he had arrived in the town. Since the preceding night Josephine had not had her brother out of

d he look like! It was death himself who came, bony and mowing all around with shar

d new to him and frightened him considerably. All that he had formerly put away from him, showed itself of its own accord--"Empyème?" he whispered in French to Kallem who did not answer, but drew nearer, felt the boy's faint, weak pulse, tapped him lightly here and there, listened to the quick short breathing, looked at the temperature list and at what he had last coughed up. Then followed a short consultation between the doctors; Josephine heard every scrap of it, although she stood a l

?" she whispered as

omething shiny, long and thin, bending down with it over the boy. She saw nothing more; nor could she think of anything either--she only tried not to give way; she heard the boy whimpe

o his bed. So she tried once or twice, but it was quite impossible; her b

and she breathed more freely. Kent went

an operation,

be of no use; she had seen it

ing must be trie

ttle voice, the boy begged

knelt down beside h

" the boy said

that. She struggled to find courage to forbid the operation, but she dared not, she was afraid of her brother. Ken

the hospital people to disinfect and

y?" whispered she,

oining rooms must be used, too." She had laid her head down a

the boy was cross, and did not want anyone near him but his mother; not even his father, for he could still smell tobacco about him, although he had given up smoking. T

home seemed broken up, and the scouring and cleaning sounded like the planing of a coffin. Their own servants all sorrowful, poor old

now, but they will come to see it in that light;" fancy if anyone were brutal enough to say such a thing to them? Tuft felt bou

mark of death! He fell asleep holding his mother's hand, and then Tuft gently led her away. She consented to be le

the little boy. As soon as they left, he was to be moved

carpets were taken up so that the slightest creak of a boot was heard. She would not be comforted, nor let herself be reasoned wi

st be something going on, she doubled herself up and sat crouching there with her hands to her ears. She would not let herself be taken to another room, she would stay there and be tortured; at times she went up to Tuft seekin

ad, he prayed aloud, and his love for her was so powerful that

her he heard nothing; but at the same instant they both heard it. "Yes, yes," she said, and tried to go. Tuft

uffocating. "Mother, mother!" he cried; but he soon became unconscious. The old grandmother in a clean cotton gown sat by the pillow on the other side and held his hand; the old woman was trembling; but there she sat and intende

n the right side. He inserted blunt instruments into the aperture, got hold of the e

hine had opened the door and seen these white operating coats, and Kallem, his han

came running from the inner room, the minister

whispered over to the deac

Sisse

st stay

efully put on the side. The tube was to be left there for several days and the temperature of the room day and night was to be kept at 15°. Kallem soon

g under her apron. In passing she told her that it was all over. So the old woman ventured in; but on seeing the child lying there pale and quiet

ing better than tidying up after he had been there. Now, one would think that he would have been devoted to her on that account, but strange to say, from the moment he fell ill, he would hardly look at his grandmother. In spite of all its severity, his mother's blunt manner had taken his fancy; he had been greatly worried by his grandmother's devotion, interspersed as it was with scoldings and threats, f

de, could hear nothing, thought all was over and ventured t

e?" asked t

rned away. A couple of hours after she came again, and he was still alive. This time she had brought her spectacles with her and an old much-loved

his mother sitting there with her spectacles and her old book of sermons, he drew nearer searching her face like a book; in it he read: "he lives!" S

id down in the passages. The minister came in on tiptoe every hour and received always the same answer; there was still life. Everybo

up and awake and went about backwards and forwards. But toward three o'clock both he and the watch fell asleep. When grandmother came in at four o'clock, Sissel was asleep too; she sat down in her se

She knelt down ... was he breathing easier, or ...? She was so sure in her belief that he was doomed to death, that she could not hear what she really did hear. She listened in the greatest anxiety, wondering, considering, holding her own breath the while, and only when she was quite sure that his breathing was easier, did she herself unconsciously breathe strongly and rapidly full in the boy's face. The warm whiff awoke him, he opened his eyes and looked at his mother, trying to collect his thoughts. Yes, it was mother who had come back again. His eyes grew more lively, and brighter than she had seen them for weeks past, they gazed at her until her own filled with tears. Not a word did he say,

o the safe feeling of her presence, so he shut his eyes again, opened t

e blinds, the daylight filled the high room with the life of life, filled her own soul to its i

d a smile about his mouth. The light half wakened him. "Ole!" she said, he opened his eyes wide, but shut them again; he strove to settle in hi

om the church pulpit, taking hi

is highest and gr

nd many night-watches, then love will teach thee this, that life is first. And from this day, never again will I first seek God or God's will in any form of speech, in any sacrament, or in any book or at any place, as though He were there present; no, rather let me seek His presence in life--in life won back from the depths of the fear of death, in the victory of light, in the beauty of devotion, in the community of the living. God's most important words to us are those of life; our truest worship of him is love for all living things. However much it be a matter of course, this doctrine was what I need

I

door, and at the first "Come in" no one appeared. The second time the door was open

e I suppose must be the prodigal daughter ... (come forward do--well, just as you please!) and we wish that you will pray for God's mercy for us both." And their request was granted with all the earnest fervour that Tuft could put into

nts of the past days would have sufficed to show him the treasures of life. He wished particularly to justify Josephine by taking her faults on his shoulders. Busy with his heavy load o

on or progress in religion was worthy of a mission, and he thought of undertaking it. The God of dogmas and his priests of olden days, must be vanquished and overcome like the idols and miracle-ma

stor Tuft came across the yard with long strides. She was dr

nd and went toward the hospital with the same decision. There stood A

in mourning for

me it is for

allem

home a litt

, and turned his steps in the direction of

shed before the kind looks of everyone else. Again the same impetuous courage came over him as it had recently done--the courage peculiar to all newly-converted people. Just

"Yes, your reverence," repli

t did the

ersons, said he; the one kind believe only what they know; the other kind do li

ninth verse upwards, is a later addition which the oldest manuscripts do not recognize. If this passage be not genuine, then no such dreadful passage can be found in any of the other three gospels. The fourth, in which it occurs, has thereby damned itself. No, life is everything, and faith is the wondrous road to the explanation of life, that is to say, to God.

e remained standing there immovable, her face framed in by the kerchief. The house at her back se

under

than he had thought. He went home humb

together, which was the condition laid down for all else. He acknowledged openly that he had been jealous of his

made a great to do and called in auxiliary troops all the way from the capital. Teachers in seminaries, schoolmasters, scientific travellers, and a few clergymen attacked Pastor Tuft at the meeting-house with all sorts of theological weapons. First and foremost he learnt to speak distinctly, for the greater part of what they attacked him for was nothing but a misunde

too had quietly been over to her brother's the first time she was able to go out; she, too, had been met by Sigrid on the steps telling

erefore she could not know that it affected her manner. She considered herself to have been at fault in being intolerant toward one who was guilty. As Sissel Aune sat upstairs beside the boy, and told her all about R

uch taken up just then with her husband's struggles. A person of confused ideas, who has chiefly lived a defian

e must stake both the

that whatever they might have done wrong--they would wish to hear it right out; they ought to be worthy to be accused. Their gratitude to him was great

nt letter; her hu

Tuft was fighting some of his hardest battles. At the meeting-house, and afterward

herefore must everything be meted out with this measure, and first and foremost the doctrine itself, so that the smallest part

owded. The principal speaker against him was a clergyman and theological publisher from the metropolis. The doctrine of hell was almos

sonant voice, in its rapid west-country tones, shouted out across the tightly packed assembly, asking whether they thought there would ever be an end of wars and persecutions as long as the doctrine of hell, with all its cruel reveng

itors--that for clearness of language and powers o

aw Josephine sitting there with flaming eyes, an

letter was given her. She recognized the writing directly, but trembled so that she could not open i

turned it over and sat down to consider whether she would let Tuft read it f

ned the

and, the next too, and the following after that, the whole thing, but in two different handwritings. The

sephine selected the least of all the

knew it not. For I knew not that

here were these wo

they know not

was of course Ragni's. Josephine be

No signature. But as she read that Kallem was not to see it, she guessed it was a love-lette

you," and that he spoke of a sorrow which he would have borne alone, but

the writer of the letter was abroad; so it was after their life together here. The letter

hat she was obliged to put

ing else; she read how he in that way had come to love Ragni. Josephine saw this lo

nch from one another (Sissel Anne had so often described them to her), they must indeed have been hard to bear! Yes, now she understo

o go down to supper. She could not answer, again there was a knock. "No, no!" she managed to articulate as she

ough her brother was standing over her commen

with me. I have told it briefly for it was torture to me; and I have only told it so that you may defend my cause should anyone still think it worth while to speak evil of me after I am gone. Dear friend, I do not murmur. I have lived as purely and nobly as I could live; it has only been too, too short. Know, that I had thrown myself away from sheer

e end is near, it does not seem to matter. You would have b

, you would not understand it; it has seemed so natural to you that all the happi

itting in this chair, and nothing can imprint my memory so vivi

ank

onsidered not worthy of the name! Wh

over her crouching there in the shame of her crime. She folded her hands on Ragni's letter, and laid her head down on the

ad them. Now he must help her; her life was at stake. She had committed murder, the murder of an innocent person. Not by her words or prompting, for she had said nothing. But it was just her silence, and her having that very first day repelled Ragni--just on that account the poor thing ha

d sweat broke out over her like a

n; but no, now it had come, now that she had regained her happiness in her husba

the envelope on his desk; she had on her hat and a shawl, and now she ra

oward the terrible house. She could see the white wall of the other house shining through the foliage to the left, the house Kule lived in, Kule the murderous instrument. No, no, no, she had not asked him to come; she had had no share in it whatever! Yes, she ha

had saved her child--but beyond that he would have nothing whatever to do with her. All the same, fro

e her brother's home! Henceforth where could she live? What should she do now? Seek her just punishment! Yes, but she would administer it herself. But first she must see him,

rrant and gooseberry bush hedge visible through the opening of the taller fruit-trees. She shuddered, but she kept on her way. Soon she

top of the other, were to be taken off; was he thinking of going away? He was sun-burnt and thin, seen in profile his face seemed sharper; then he heard her step and looked up--looked up into her tear-stained beseeching face! No trace of h

rew himself upright; a voice w

forgive you

to the house, in horror and despair at his s

nd he put his hands on his sides

I

did in the evenings; if Josephine had been down she would have gone with him, he thought. He walked for an hour; it was Saturday and he got ready his se

re; but where could she be? Gone to see some sick person? He knew of none. In mere absence of mind he took up the envelope as he passed the desk; his name was outside--was it written i

to him for my

the meani

he would hardly have taken their breach with the church, their intercourse with scoffers, as sufficient reason for keeping away and avoiding them. Even if his brother-in-law were to answer that Josephine was not sufficiently a Christian to join in persecuting Ragni on that account; nor could she for that reason at once think the worst of a freethinker, then T

he arrived panting through the park, the yard, and up on to the steps. The front door was locked--was it not more than te

phine no

N

not bee

an hour and

el

de her t

ot even sp

N

mas," turned his back on him and went off again. His broad hat over his

just in the same way. Kallem came out at o

Kallem could see, without being near him, he ap

ink she can have

st have gone to

he turned and went away. His heavy footfall was

his time it was only one single timid peal. Kallem heard it

ear, kind doctor, be good and merciful!" Kallem thought she had come on his sister's behalf, and that something ha

n Anne?" sh

d out on the high road; this is the third night, and I cannot stand it any longer. Dear, good doctor, I

om his power? Had he taken to drink again, was this delirium? No, no, he was

gs as they passed by. Was it not very strange that Aune, who had fooled people into believing in Kristen Larssen's ghost, should now be rushing about mad with terror of what he had himself set going? Every evening after dark, Sissel d

ping her hands. "Christ help us!"

ill only be slower like that, Sissel

" she said, breathlessly. At the same moment a watch-dog began barking close by, it was star

e! Do you know how people found out Satan? They thought everything was created perfect and

them just at that moment;

e came a fresh shriek, nearer than the first one, a call for help with a last expiring gasp; they shudde

sel, crying and hurrying onwards; "the mad m

n so near; the furious beast had attacked the first person it came upon; and who could that be? Since he was a boy Kallem had not run so fast; he could hear by the dog that there was a fight and he pushed on with renewed strength. Soon he saw someth

tter, who kicked it away from him each time. Maybe Aune thought the dog was the devil and possessed by Kristen Larssen's spirit, for the little man kicked and wriggled, bit, hit out, and struggled to get free; he threw himself backwards and with the last remains of his hoarse voice he groaned, "Help! help!" If he had been frightened before, he became so now in good earnest as he saw Kalle

hes, but was so excited that he felt no pain. Kallem took little wretched Aune with both hands by the collar, lifted him up to his level, and, panting from his run and the rapid coursing of his blood, he stared straight into his eyes, until they grew wi

ld be no dew on account of the wind; they should be sent

ried the blood, and bound up the worst

ad come across him; but hardly were they

o, now I can think of nothing else. That you could send her away from you, Edward!" The thick foli

eside the letters from you? 'For my l

or my life's sake," and the sound drew nearer, encirclin

un as though he were imploring: "Mercy, mercy for her!" He hurried along as fast as he co

unishment of sins! From our childhood it drives away all our intelligence, just when we are most in need of it; we run away in despair--or cast ourselves down in the dust before God. Perchance later on we get rid of this dogma of terror, but never of its effects. As I was walking along thinking of this, I came across that madman. He leapt up; the terr

heavy too as he plodded along. Kallem did no

Kallem ought not to doubt Josephine; she was the most honourable and truthful creature on the face of the earth. In this affair she had been led astray by him. In his

ty would have increased had he been silent; and then too Edward must see her as he saw her, and above all help her! "All who have gone astray must be helped; they who have sinned against us--as soon as they acknowledge it they must be helped above all others! God's forgive

than he would own to his brother-in-law, he went in and out of the rooms, up and down as though

he struck her--had she not come then to do him good? Her attack on Ragni that time----of course there was more than dogmatical narrow-mindedness in it--it was jealousy! Jeal

direst need, they seemed to gaze full at him. All her life long, confused and shy, when not carried away by passion, hampered by unnatural doctrines and defiant in her truthf

ything for her, had only harmed her, and yet sh

t them again if he were really going out. So he stepped out to close them again and in doing so glanced on one side--and there, sheltered from the north wind by the veranda, sitting on Ragni's bench just under his office windows, was Josephine, with her shawl over

rms, and felt how he too was quivering with the emotion he could not control. He was not cruel, perchance he would listen to her, and she raised her arms and threw them round him mingling her tears with his; the brother and sister stood with their heads together, cheek

through her tears; he forced her along, step by step. On the steps she again held back. But he led her on till they stood in the room; here she clasp

her hair; but he knew it was not

ping time as of old; they said nothing about it, but they were looking for Ole; forgot the short cut and came down the road to the shore. Soon they turned up toward the

s he!" she

s ever, though ever in vain. They both understood, her arm trembled in that of her brother. She pressed closer up to him, for just a moment ago she had told him that had she been driven out of his garden, then----! Hush!

th Josephine on his arm, and Kallem at his other s

our faith," Kallem fe

nister eagerly. "There where good

TNO

orwegian mile = s

A Norwegian