Then he turned around and began to weep quite
bitterly.
Somehow Ifelt that there was something
wrong.
But were just as good friends for all
that.
Yes,indeed, I have gone through something since you
were here last.
I stood still now and then inorder to see whether
the light moved. Then it happened neither worse norbetter than that we were caught
by a bunch of soldiers. If so it will be your fault, Michel Kraensen, Esben broke
in. The light of the heavens wasextinguished, but this earthly light was lit
again.
How strange, I thought afterwards, is not this
little caravan!
The first few months she was very unruly, and we
had a hard time withher. From Blue-Matini wed been in the company ofgypsies. The
light of the heavens wasextinguished, but this earthly light was lit again. Stay
hereovernight, and then well see what she says tomorrow. When we came to the cave we
were all right, and thereLinka was taken care of. It will be threeyears come
Michaelmas that I have been a widow.
Far away and to oneside I could still see Esben and
the ascending smoke from his pipe. Thirst drove me to lookfor a house, and as it
happened that of the hosier was the nearest.
I went out again into my empty and careless
heath.
So it isnt for nothing that she carries him now;
itspaying off old scores. By your leave,where does this good friend come
from?
She ran after the madgirl, who was already
outside.
How strange, I thought afterwards, is not this
little caravan! Kjelds Esben and our Cecil became goodfriends before anyone knew
it.
But, as Ihave said, I didnt mean it
seriously.
I felt cheered andwent close to the window to get a
good view of the ballroom and thedancers.
Try to lie down and die as soon as youcan, for Mads
Egelund is trying to get there first. Its many thousand miles, he said with all the
smug self-satisfactionof a great traveller.
By your leave, wheredoes this good man come from?
Now Im a man of five thousand dollars ormore. Stay hereovernight, and then well see
what she says tomorrow.
It was awarm, quiet September day just like last
time. My mothers brother in Holstein is dead; he wasnt married, andIm his heir. Fear
not, grave reader, that I shall jar you out of the staid andmeasured ambling of your
soul!
I saw only his profile, but that wasenough for me
to recognize the chap.