Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: April 30, 2025
He behaved like a madman, and disturbed every one's rest. That was Karin's most trying year. Her husband sometimes tormented her until it seemed as though she could not stand it any longer. The very air became polluted by his vile talk and profanity, so that the home was like a hell.
But now that Halvor had come to her in her trouble, and wanted to help her, she was completely overwhelmed by the bigness of the man. She marvelled that he could be so kind. She felt that surely he must like her a little, since he had come like that, to help her. Karin's heart began to beat violently and anxiously.
"Why don't you go into the kitchen and say it for yourself?" "No," Halvor was heard to answer, "we two have nothing more to say to each other." Karin's heart began to pump hard, and thoughts came rushing into her head, as if on wings. Now Halvor was angry at her and no wonder!
She did not kneel, but she clasped her hands and sat quite still, while she laid Karin's sorrow and penitence before the dear Lord Jesus, so ready to forgive, and to heal the broken, repentant heart.
Before Karin had heard him say a word, she guessed that it was Hellgum. After passing the time of day, the man asked after Halvor. He learned that Karin's husband had gone to a town meeting, and was expected home shortly. Hellgum sat down. Now and then he glanced over at Karin, and after a little he said: "I've been told that you are ill."
They resented his escapades, blushed at his ribald songs and coarse jokes, by turns threatening and admonishing him. And although their brother-in-law was on the whole rather good-natured, he sometimes got into a rage and had words with them. Then Karin's only thought was how she should get her sisters away from the house, that they might escape the misery in which she herself had to live.
She had had a nice play with some charming children, and there was a baby in the house, which she had really been allowed to carry in her own willing arms. Karin's overshadowed countenance passed unnoticed in the general stir that followed the return of the father and daughter. They had been invited to spend several days at the hospitable country home where they had been so warmly welcomed.
"I want to thank you, Parson, for coming to hear me to-day," he said; "for if you hadn't come to-day you never could have heard me." There were many who thought that Elof Ersson should have found no peace in his grave for the shameful way in which he had dealt with Karin and young Ingmar. He had deliberately made way with all of his and Karin's money, so she would suffer hardship after his death.
To Tessa's eager inquiry for Uncle Everard she made answer that he had been called out on business, and to Bernard she added that Hafiz had sent him a message by one of the servants, and she supposed he had gone to Rustam Karin's stall in the bazaar. She looked pale and dispirited, but she joined in Tessa's delighted appreciation of the entertainment which now was drawing to a close.
She understood the whole as she saw Karin's streaming tears, and the changed old face beside her. "My mother is dead!" said Karin simply, but in a broken voice. "I am glad she saw her good daughter before she died," said the pastor's wife comfortingly. "I am no good daughter!" exclaimed Karin bitterly.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking