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Updated: June 4, 2025
It was one evening before dinner Mother Kirstine had fallen into a quiet sleep, and Elizabeth was sitting by her bedside, when she saw Fru Beck pass the window. Elizabeth knew she would come in, and sat with beating heart waiting for her knock at the door. Fru Beck must have stood a long while in the porch, for some minutes passed before the latch was stirred.
Widow Kirstine was a portly, somewhat worn perhaps, but otherwise strong-looking, old woman, with a good broad face, and thin grey hair drawn down behind her ears. She was not unused to being disturbed at night, one of her occupations being to nurse sick people; but she always grumbled whenever she was.
"Oh, we shall make something of him, you'll see," said Elizabeth, who had been standing behind Salvé, and now came forward. "But you must not talk so much." Salvé's face grew stern; this was the most unfortunate topic which could have been suggested. And matters were presently made worse by Mother Kirstine saying, when there was a pause "You looked so glad last night, Elizabeth!
He seemed uncertain for a moment what reply he should make to this unexpected invitation of confidence. At length he said "I don't know, Mother Kirstine, for certain; two years ago, I made her a present of a pair of shoes."
"Why, you know, goodman, that it can't be the same to me if you are lost out there at sea." "How is your aunt?" he asked, abruptly. "Is she seriously ill?" "She can see you. Come in with me, but step gently." Salvé felt that he could not very well refuse, and followed her. He had always, as far as possible, avoided seeing Mother Kirstine, and had left his wife to represent him in that quarter.
So you thought that Elizabeth was to be beholden to the lieutenant for a character ?" "Dear mother Kirstine!" Salvé cried, interrupting her in the full torrent of her indignation, "I didn't think about it I couldn't think. Only, I heard Anders of the Crag down on the slip this morning say it all so confidently. "Anders of the Crag? So it was from him you heard it? the pitiful, wheedling rascal!
"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.
"So!" rejoined the old woman after a pause, during which she had examined him through her half-closed eyes, and in a somewhat milder tone; "so you brought a dress for her! and at the same time you come running up here in the middle of the night to tell me that she has become a common baggage for the lieutenant," and her anger rose again. "But, Mother Kirstine, I don't believe a word of it."
You didn't need to desert your watch to bring such tales here; and Elizabeth shall hear of it that she shall," she repeated, excitedly, striking one hand into the other with a loud smack "she shall hear what fine faith you have in her." "Dear mother Kirstine! I didn't mean any harm," he said, entreatingly, feeling as if a weight had been taken off his heart "only please don't tell Elizabeth."
Her position, in fact, was such, that when a new doctor arrived he soon perceived that the first thing he had to do, if he was to have any reputation in the town, would be to win the confidence of old Mother Kirstine. Young Fru Beck, amongst others, had constantly sent to inquire after her; and when she heard that Elizabeth was there, she could not resist the opportunity of going to see her.
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