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Updated: May 16, 2025
I will walk with you, and you shall tell your story as we go." Rolf shook his head, and objected that he could not, in conscience, take Erlingsen a step further from home than was necessary, as he was only too much wanted there. "Is that Oddo yonder?" he asked. "He said you would bring him." "Yes: he has grown trustworthy of late.
Most of the company thought Erlingsen very bold to talk in this way; but he was presently justified by Oddo's appearance on the balustrade. His master seized him as he touched the ground, while the others stood aloof. "Where is my ale-can?" said Erlingsen. "Here, sir;" and Oddo held it up dangling by the handle. "And the cake? I bade you bring down the cake with you." "So I did, sir."
This was only hastening her departure by two or three days. At the seater she would find less to try her spirits than here: and when Erlingsen came he would, if he thought proper, have Hund carried before a magistrate; and would, at least, set such inquiries afloat through the whole region as would bring to light anything that might chance to be known of Rolf's fate.
Erlingsen promised to be wary on his return homewards, so as not to fall in with the two whom Rolf had put to flight. He said, however, that if by chance he should cross their path, he did not doubt he could also make them run, by acting the ghost or demon, though he had not had Rolfs advantage of disappearing in the fiord before their eyes.
Henrica's was railed round, with a paling which had been fresh painted a task which Erlingsen performed with his own hands every spring.
Erlingsen kept a keen and constant look-out upon the fiord, in the midst of all the occupations and gaieties of the rest of the winter. His wife's account of the adventures of the day of his absence made him anxious; and he never went a mile out of sight of home, so vivid in his imagination was the vision of his house burning, and his family at the mercy of pirates.
The old houseman Peder, who had served Erlingsen's father and Erlingsen himself for fifty-eight years, could now no longer do the weekly work on the farm which was his rent for his house, field, and cow. He was blind and old. His aged wife, Ulla, could not leave the house; and it was the most she could do to keep the dwelling in order, with occasional help from one and another.
"How goes it, Rolf?" said his master, who, having done his duty in the dancing-room, was now making his way to the card-tables, in another apartment, to see how his guests there were entertained. Thinking that Rolf looked very absent, as he stood, in the pause of the dance, in silence by Erica's side, Erlingsen clapped him on the shoulder, and said, "How goes it? Make your friends merry."
Madame Erlingsen, he decided, with all her experience, did not do the duties of the table so well; and the young ladies, kind and good-tempered as they were, would never, by any experience, become so graceful as Erica. At last appeared the final dish of the long feast the sweet cake, with which dinner and supper in Norway usually conclude.
Every winter now, when Erlingsen hears a moaning above his chimney, he may know it is poor Oddo, foolish boy!" "Foolish boy! but one can't help pitying him," said another. "Chained astride upon the wind, and never to be warm again!" Oddo had thus far kept his laughter to himself, but now he could contain himself no longer.
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