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Updated: June 4, 2025
His father, however, would not hear of it, and dismissed the subject very shortly by saying that when Gjert was old enough, he intended him to go to Tergesen's rigging-loft in Vraangen and learn to rig.
He understood that there was something wrong again with his mother, but did not dare to ask after her, as he was longing to do. His father, during the rest of the evening, never stirred from the corner of the bench which was his son's sleeping-place; it was made to serve the double purpose of bench and bed. When supper-time arrived, Gjert put some food on the table.
While we were talking, young Fru Beck came in, and when she heard what we were speaking about, she showed the greatest interest at once. You were an old friend of hers, she said; and she thought we might get Gjert into the Institute there free, when he had been up for an examination in the summer.
"Have you had dinner? Are Gjert and I not to have any, then?" His mother sprang up. "And aunt!" she exclaimed. "I declare it is half-past one, and no dinner put down!" Henrik was glad to find that the worst danger was over. Mother Kirstine had conjectured that there must be something particular going on between the pair in the kitchen, and that was the reason she had not called Elizabeth.
Turning savagely away, he said in a cutting tone, that seemed to go through her "Do you also despise your father's station, my boy?" When Gjert blundered out then in his eagerness "Frederick Beck is going to be a cadet," it was followed simply by "Come here, Gjert!" and he received a blow that sent him staggering against the table.
"But I wish you to go, Gjert," he said then, suddenly, in a changed tone, that admitted of no further question. "Mother took no things with her. You must take her Sunday gown, and what else you know she will want, in with you in the trunk there. It may be a long while before before aunt is well," he said, and left the house.
He remained for a little with the candlestick in his hand, and then took the light in to Gjert. The boy was lying in his mother's place, and had evidently cried himself to sleep. His father stood for a long while over him. His lips quivered, and his face became ashy pale. He controlled himself with an effort and went back to the other room, where he sat down in the same attitude as before.
Elizabeth was sitting on deck with little Gjert, blooming as a rose, and asking animated questions of the pilot, whom they had been compelled to take on board, about the various flat sandy islands and towns which came in sight from time to time, Salvé occasionally stopping in his walk to listen.
"But bend she shall," he added; and that decision was evidently final. That evening was passed by Elizabeth in a terrible struggle with herself. When Gjert had brought her clothes she had turned very pale, and had felt as if she had undertaken what she would not have strength to carry through. And now that the decisive moment had nearly come, this feeling increased almost to despair.
Such threats, however, would have no weight with him. When he came to Merdö he moored the cutter in silence scarcely looking at Gjert, who came down to help him and went in, without speaking, to the house, where he stood by the window for a while writing on the window-pane. It was soon quite dark outside; Gjert had lit a candle, and had sat down by the table.
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