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Updated: June 9, 2025
Katrina was more right than she herself knew. He did not care a bit whether or not old "Grippie" had passed. His saying that he was expected was merely an excuse for standing at the window. No word or token had he received from the great Empress, the little girl of Ruffluck, since the day Lars wrested from him his majesty and glory.
Those who sat there were persons of such little importance he did not even know them by name. "I wish to speak with Jan Anderson of Ruffluck," he said. "That's him over there," volunteered the seine-maker, pointing at the bed. "Is he sick?" inquired the senator. "Oh, no! Oh, no!" replied half a dozen at the same time. "And he isn't drunk, either," added Börje.
One after the other, the neighbours dropped in at Ruffluck to find out how matters stood with them. Was it true that Glory Goldie had not come on the boat? They inquired. And was it true that they had received no letter or message from her during the whole month of September? Jan answered not a word to all their queries. It mattered not who came in he lay still.
It was this parcel Jan stood there pondering over. He knew that in the bundle were all sorts of good things to eat, the very things they longed for at every meal at Ruffluck, still he felt it would be unfair to the little girl to keep it. He had not come to the Hindricksons as a beggar, but simply to see his kinsfolk. He did not wish them to entertain any false notions as to that.
"I'm obliged to finish this job to-day," replied the comrade. "I can't get any grain from Eric of Falia till the work is done, and we're all out of rye-meal." "Then go'-night for to-day," said Jan. Börje did not respond. He was too tired and done up to give even the customary good-night salutation. Jan of Ruffluck walked to the edge of the field; but there he halted.
The sun came forth, clearer and clearer, and shed a rose-coloured glow over both the child and the hut. "Maybe you'd like to be godmother to 'er?" said Jan of Ruffluck. To which the sun made no direct reply. She just beamed for a moment, then drew her mist-cloak about her and disappeared. Once again Katrina was heard from. "Was any one there?" asked she. "I thought I heard you talking to somebody.
But perhaps the madness need never have become so firmly fixed as it was then. If some one had ruthlessly yanked Jan of Ruffluck down off his imperial throne in the beginning possibly he could have been saved. The engineer flashed the man a challenging glance. Jan looked condescendingly regretful, but remained adamant as before.
"It shouldn't be so very difficult to earn a couple of hundred rix-dollars between now and the first of October," said the girl. "This is only midsummer, so it's three whole months till then. If you will let me go to Stockholm and take service there, I promise you the house shall remain in your keeping." When Jan of Ruffluck heard these words he grew ashen.
He did not want any payment, all he asked was to see the young girl dressed in the red frock the next time he came to Ruffluck.
The first two days after Jan's death Katrina had stayed on the pier with Glory Goldie, and watched for his return. Then she went back to Ruffluck. It was not from any feeling of indifference that she stopped coming to the pier, it was simply that she could not stand being with her daughter and hearing her speak of Jan. For Glory Goldie did not disguise her real sentiments.
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