Shallow Soil

e a farmer. Who would have believed it? He was the one in the clique who talked least about his work; nobody could understand how he managed to live. It was more than two years since his drama

he weather was bright and sunny, a glorious day. He was going to take Miss Lynum to the Art Exhibition at three. He looked forward to this pleasure; it was r

refrained. He opened. He knew this knock; it was Mrs. Hanka's finger which knocked twice so resolutely. S

tly. "I want you to know that!" She could not hi

nd looked very young with her l

s

r who you are-you are equally lovely! An

ng at him-that he was that far already! Oh, but wouldn't it come like a thunderclap; not a soul suspected anything! They all went around thinking that he did not work any more. Oh, Heave

and made him tender with gratitude. How she loved him, how she sacrificed herself for him and did for him

ng to make me glad; as I walked upstairs it seemed as if

side. The first bird notes of spring, he thought again, how

she said; "it is much bri

his clothes the fine, grey woolly fuzz her dress had left there. She sat still on the sofa, her

otice it; she looked up; and besides, she was remarkably beautiful as she sat th

he said; "be careful! Look

her if it hurt, and she answered that it was not that, but s

ere is an operatic performance. Couldn't we

rd was hard to tell; he had better not promise anything. No, he said, he was afr

e! I would be so p

orld do you want

is opera

at means nothing to m

but-Where are you going this evening? I am just like a compass-needle now: I oscillate, I may even swing all the way r

ll-there was nothing he could reproach her with; she had been more than good t

*

an application for the government subsidy; he would delay until the very last day in order to avoid having his name paraded in the daily press alongside all those nonentities who already were licking their chops in anticipation of this modest emolument. His application should be brief and to the point, without recommendations, simply accompanied by his book. He would tell nobody, not even Mr

s. The foreman called his attention to a letter, an envelope with something enclosed, which he found between the sheets. Irgens turned in the door. A letter? Oh, yes; he had forgo

he cabin of the Aagot-doll cushions, one would almost think, they were so small. Irg

n!" said Ole smilingly. "Aagot has har

u come, too?

ery busy. "Be off-don't disturb me any

take the way through the park; they could then hear

le; around her neck she simply wore a bit of lace. The cape fluttered at times with scarlet silken flashes. She was sorry

sic unpardonably poorly, but I show up in the park every day; it would never do to stay away." Much depended upon

ily?" she asked. "But that d

o the rest," he replied. "Wh

ered qui

ou were too

ust not think it is an easy matter to keep one's head above water here; one friend is enviou

too," she said. "We cannot walk two steps that somebody isn't

rd another remark! Rather let us

ple, what of it? He himself never noticed it any more; honestly, it did not affect him in the least. Besides, he wanted to let her know that to-day he was not the only subject of conversation-what ab

to flatter her; he was

d not seem t

e park, where the ban

Water-Carrier"

n altogether unnecessary

drove his spirits still higher; even her nose, which was somewhat irregular in profile and a little too large, made him almost feel as if he were in love. Greek

ar of noise. At first one would appear who made strange contortions and meanwhile produced song; then another would stalk forth who did not want to take a back seat either, and who likewise did his utmost; then a third, a fourth, men and women, long processions, an army; and all sang their questions and sang their answers and beat their arms in the air and rolled their eyes, exercising their vocal chords without a moment's pause. Wasn't it true? They wept to music, sobbed to music, gritted teeth, sneezed, and fainted to music, and the conductor urged them on frantically with an ivory hammer-handle. She might laugh, but it was just that way. Then all of a sudden the conductor appears to become terror-stricken because of that

got laughed incessantly and was hugely amused. How he did make th

ns knew everything and even told her anecdotes about the exhibiting painters. Here, too, they met curious people, who put their heads together and looked after th

an obscure corner a greyish-bearded, somewhat bald person, nor did they p

treet Ir

e not going home

id, "I am goi

othing to be done; she could not be persuaded, and he had to let her have her way. But they could make up for it some other

he said. "It is the most pe

and looked a

said. "I who have lived in

u remind me of? I have carried this impression around all day. You remind me of the first bird note, the earliest warm spring tones-you know what I mean-that surge through the hea

ughed vivaciously. "I am supposed to be like all that? I sho

he said. "For this reason the description should call to mind the wild th

rehouse. They stopp

e said. "Aren't you coming up?

I would like to come soon and drag

tatingly. "That is very

for your com

went