lightedstreets,withadelicioussenseofsnugnessandsecurity,beingallthemorecloselyunitedfortheirquarrel。Here,fartheruptheavenue,theyhadoncebeentoaparty,andhehaddancedforthefirsttimeinhislifewithEdith。HerewasDelmonico’s,wheretheyhadhadsuchfascinatingluncheonstogether;whereshehadgotastainonherdress,andhehadbeenforcedtoobservethatherdresswasthennotreallyapartofherself,sinceitwasathingthatcouldnotbestained。Herdresshadalwaysseemedtohimassomethingabsoluteandfinal,exaltedabovecriticism,incapableofimprovement。
AsIhavesaid,Halfdanwalkedbrisklyuptheavenue,anditwassomethingafterelevenwhenhereachedthehousewhichhesought。Thegreatcloud—bankinthenorthhadthenbeguntoexpandandstretcheditslongmistyarmseastwardandwestwardovertheheavens。Thewindowsontheground—floorweredark,butthesleepingapartmentsintheupperstorieswerelighted。InEdith’sroomtheinsideshutterswereclosed,butoneofthewindowswasalittledownatthetop。Andashestoodgazingwithtremuloushappinessuptothatwindow,astanzafromHeinewhichheandEdithhadoftenreadtogether,cameintohishead。ItwasthestoryoftheyouthwhogoestotheMadonnaatKevlarandbringsherasavotiveofferingaheartofwax,thatshemayhealhimofhisloveandhissorrow。
\"Ibringthiswaxenimage,Theimageofmyheart,Healthoumybittersorrow,Andcuremydeadlysmart!\"[4]
[4]Translation,from\"Exotics。ByJ。F。C。&C。L。\"
Thencamethethoughtthatforhim,too,asforthepooryouthofCologne,therewashealingonlyindeath。AndstillinthismomenthewassonearEdith,shouldseeherperhaps,andthejoyatthiswasstrongerthanallelse,strongereventhandeath。Sohesatdownbesidethestepsofthemansionopposite,wheretherewassomeshelterfromthewind,andwaitedpatientlytillEdithshouldcloseherwin—
dow。Hewascold,perhaps,but,ifso,hehardlyknewit,forthenearjoyofseeingherthrobbedwarmlyinhisveins。Ah,there——theblindswerethrownopen;Edith,inallthelithemagnificenceofherwonderfulform,stoodoutclearandbeautifulagainstthelightwithin;shepushedupthelowerwindowinordertoreachtheupperone,andforamomentleanedoutoverthesill。Oncemoreherwondrousprofiletraceditselfinstrongreliefagainsttheoutergloom。Therecameacryfromthestreetbelow,afeebleinvoluntaryone,butstilldistinctlyaudible。Edithpeeredanxiouslyoutintothedarkness,butthedarknesshadgrowndenserandshecouldseenothing。Thewindowwasfastened,theshuttersclosed,andthebroadpathwayoflightwhichshehadflungoutuponthenighthadvanished。
Halfdanclosedhiseyestryingtoretainthehappyvision。Yes,thereshestoodstill,andtherewasaheavenlysmileuponherlips——ugh,heshivered——thesnowsweptinawildwhirlupthestreet。Hewrappedhisplaidmorecloselyabouthim,andstrainedhiseyestocatchonemoreglimpseofthebelovedEdith。Ah,yes;
thereshewasagain;shecamenearerandnearer,andshetouchedhischeek,gently,warilysmilingallthewhilewithastrangewistfulsmilewhichwassurelynotEdith’s。There,shebentoverhim,——touchedhimagain,——howcoldherhandswere;thetouchchilledhimtotheheart。
Thesnowhadnowbeguntofallinlargescatteredflakes,whirlingfitfullythroughtheair,followingeverychancegustofwind,butstillfalling,falling,andcoveringtheearthwithitswhite,death—likeshroud。
Butsurely——therewasEdithagain,——howwonderful!——inalongsnow—whiterobe,graveandgracious,stillwiththewistfulsmileonherlips。See,shebeckonstohimwithherhand,andherisestofollow,butsomethingheavyclingstohisfeetandhecannotstirfromthespot。Hetriestocryforhelp,buthecannot,——
canonlystretchouthishandstoher,andfeelveryunhappythathecannotfollowher。Butnowshepausesinherflight,turnsabout,andheseesthatshewearsamyrtlegarlandinherhairlikeabride。Shecomestowardhim,hercountenanceallradiantwithloveandhappiness,andshestoopsdownoverhimandspeaks:
\"Come;theyarewaitingforus。Iwillfollowtheeinlifeandindeath,whereverthougoest。Come,\"repeatsEdith,\"theyhavelongbeenwaiting。Theyareallhere。\"
Andheimaginesheknowswhotheyallare,althoughhehasneverheardofthem,norcanherecalltheirnames。
\"But——but,\"hestammers,\"I——I——amaforeigner\"
Itappearedthenthatforsomereasonthiswasaninsurmountableobjection。AndEdith’shappinessdiesoutofherbeautifulface,andsheturnsawayweeping。
\"Edith,beloved!\"
Thensheisoncemoreathisside。
\"Thouartnomoreaforeignertome,beloved。
Whateverthouart,Iam。\"
Andshepressesherlipstohis——itwasthesweetestkissofhislife——thekissofdeath。
Thenextmorning,asEdith,afterhavingputthelasttouchtohertoilet,threwtheshuttersopen,agreatglareofsun—smittensnowburstuponherandforamomentblindedhereyes。
Onthesidewalkopposite,halfadozenmenwithsnow—shovelsintheirhandsandacoupleofpolicemanhadcongregated,and,judgingbytheirmanner,werediscussingsomeobjectofinterest。Presentlytheywerejoinedbyherfather,whohadjustfinishedhisbreakfastandwasonhiswaytotheoffice。Nowhestoopeddownandgazedatsomethinghalfconcealedinthesnow,thensuddenlystartedback,andasshecaughtaglimpseofhisface,shesawthatitwasghastlywhite。Aterribleforebodingseizedher。Shethrewashawlabouthershouldersandrusheddown—stairs。Inthehallshewasmetbyherfather,whowasjustentering,followedbyfourmen,carryingsomethingbetweenthem。Shewellknewwhatitwas。Shewouldfainhaveturnedaway,butshecouldnot:
graspingherfather’sarmandpressingithard,shegazedwithblank,frightenedeyesatthewhiteface,thelinesofwhichDeathhadsostrangelyemphasized。Thesnow—flakeswhichhunginhishairhadtouchedhimwiththeirsuddenage,asiftobridgethegulfbetweenyouthanddeath。Andstillhewasbeautiful——theclearbrow,thepeaceful,happyindolence,thefrozensmilewhichdeathhadperpetuated。
Smiling,hehaddepartedfromtheearthwhichhadnoplaceforhim,andsmilingenteredtherealmwhere,amongthemanymansions,thereis,perhaps,alsooneforagentle,simple—heartedenthusiast。
THESTORYOFANOUTCAST。
THEREwasanancientfeudbetweenthefamilies;andBjarneBlakstadwasnotthemantomakeitup,neitherwasHedinUllern。Sotheylookedaskanceateachotherwhenevertheymetonthehighway,andtheonetookcarenottocrosstheother’spath。ButonSundays,whenthechurch—
bellscalledtheparishionerstogether,theycouldnotverywellavoidseeingeachotheronthechurch—yard;andthen,oneday,manyyearsago,whenthesermonhadhappenedtotouchBjarne’sheart,hehadnoddedtoHedinandsaid:\"Fineweatherto—day;\"andHedinhadreturnedthenodandanswered:\"Trueisthat。\"
\"NowIhavedonemydutybeforeGodandmen,\"thoughtBjarne,\"anditishisturntotakethenextstep。\"\"Thefellowisproud,\"
saidHedintohimself,\"andhewantstoshowoffhisgenerosity。ButIknowthewolfbyhisskin,evenifhehaslearnedtobleatlikeaewe—lamb。\"
Whatthefeudreallywasabout,theyhadbothnearlyforgotten。Alltheyknewwasthatsomethirtyyearsagotherehadbeenaquarrelbetweenthepastorandtheparishabouttherightofcarryingarmstothechurch。AndthenBjarne’sfatherhadbeenthespokesmanoftheparish,whileHedin’sgrandsirehadbeenastaunchdefenderofthepastor。Therewasarumor,too,thattheyhadhadafierceencountersomewhereinthewoods,andthattheonehadstabbedtheotherwithaknife;butwhetherthatwasreallytrue,noonecouldtell。
Bjarnewastallandgrave,liketheweather—
beatenfir—treesinhismast—forest。Hehadalargeclean—shavenface,narrowlips,andsmallfierceeyes。Heseldomlaughed,andwhenhedid,hislaughseemedevenfiercerthanhisfrown。Heworehishairlong,ashisfathershaddone,anddressedinthestylesoftwocenturiesago;hisbreecheswereclaspedwithlargesilverbucklesattheknees,andhisredjerkinwasgatheredabouthiswaistwithaleatherngirdle。Helovedeverythingthatwasold,indressaswellasinmanners,tooknonewspapers,andregardedrailroadsandsteamboatsasinventionsofthedevil。Bjarnehadmarriedlateinlife,andhismarriagehadbroughthimtwodaughters,BritaandGrimhild。
HedinUllernwaslookeduponasanupstart。
Hecouldonlycountthreegenerationsback,andhehardlyknewhimselfhowhisgrandfatherhadearnedthemoneythathadenabledhimtobuyafarmandsettledowninthevalley。Hehadreadagreatdeal,andwaswellinformedonthepoliticsoftheday;hisnamehadevenbeenmentionedforstorthingsmand,ormemberofparliamentfromthedistrict,anditwasthecommonopinion,thatifBjarneBlakstadhadnotsovigorouslyopposedhim,hewouldhavebeenelected,beingtheonly\"cultivated\"peasantinthevalley。Hedinwasnounwelcomeguestinthehousesofgentlefolks,andhewasoftenseenatthejudge’sandthepastor’somberparties。AndforallthisBjarneBlakstadonlyhatedhimthemore。Hedin’swife,Thorgerda,wasfair—haired,tallandstout,anditwasshewhomanagedthefarm,whileherhusbandreadhisbooks,andstudiedpoliticsinthenewspapers;butshehadasharptongueandherneighborswereafraidofher。Theyhadoneson,whosenamewasHalvard。
BritaBlakstad,Bjarne’seldestdaughter,wasamaidwhomitwasajoytolookupon。Theycalledher\"Glitter—Brita,\"becauseshewasfondofringsandbrooches,andeverythingthatwasbright;whileshewasstillachild,sheoncetooktheoldfamilybridal—crownoutfromthestorehouseandcarrieditaboutonherhead。
\"Bewareofthatcrown,child,\"herfatherhadsaidtoher,\"andwearitnotbeforethetime。
Thereisnotalwaysblessinginthebridalsilver。\"Andshelookedwonderinglyupintohiseyesandanswered:\"Butitglitters,father;\"andfromthattimeforththeyhadnamedherGlitter—Brita。
AndGlitter—Britagrewuptobeafairandwinsomemaiden,andwherevershewentthewooersflockedonherpath。Bjarneshookhisheadather,andoftenhadharshwordsuponhislips,whenhesawherbraidingfield—
flowersintoheryellowtressesorclaspingtheshiningbroochestoherbodice;butalookofhersorasmilewouldcompletelydisarmhim。Shehadamerrywayofdoingthingswhichmadeitallseemlikeplay;butworkwentrapidlyfromherhands,whileherringinglaughterechoedthroughthehouse,andhersunnypresencemadeitbrightintheduskyancestralhalls。Inherkitchenthelongrowsofcopperpotsandpolishedkettlesshoneuponthewalls,andtheneatlyscouredmilk—pailsstoodlikesoldiersonparadeabouttheshelvesundertheceiling。Bjarnewouldoftensitforhourswatchingher,andastrangespring—feelingwouldstealintohisheart。Hefeltafather’sprideinherstatelygrowthandherrichwomanlybeauty。
\"Ah!\"hewouldsaytohimself,\"shehasthepurebloodinherveinsand,astrueasIlive,thefarmshallbehers。\"Andthen,quitecontrarytohishabits,hewouldindulgeinalittlereverie,imaginingthetimewhenhe,asanagedman,shouldhavegiventheestateoverintoherhands,andseeingherasaworthymatronpresideatthetable,andhimselfrockinghisgrandchildrenonhisknee。Nowonder,then,thatheeyedcloselytheyoungladswhowerebeginningtohoveraboutthehouse,andthathelookedwithsuspicionuponthosewhoselectedSaturdaynightsfortheirvisits。[5]
WhenBritawastwentyyearsold,however,herfatherthoughtthatitwastimeforhertomakeherchoice。Thereweremanyfine,braveladsinthevalley,and,asBjarnethought,Britawouldhavethegoodsensetochoosethefinestandthebravest。So,whenthewintercame,hesuddenlyflunghisdoorsopentotheyouthoftheparish,andbegantogivepartieswithaleandmeadinthegrandoldstyle。Heeventalkedwiththeyoungmen,attimes,encouragedthemtomanlysports,andurgedthemtotasteofhishome—breweddrinksandtotreadthespring—dancebriskly。AndBritadancedandlaughedsothatherhairflewaroundherandthesilverbroochestinkledandrangonherbosom。Butwhenthemerrimentwasatanend,andanyoneoftheladsremainedbehindtoofferherhishand,shesuddenlygrewgrave,toldhimshewastooyoung,thatshedidnotknowherself,andthatshehadhadnotimeasyettodecidesoseriousaquestion。Thusthewinterpassedandthesummerdrewnear。
[5]InthecountrydistrictsofNorwaySaturdayeveningisregardedas\"thewooer’seve。\"
InthemiddleofJune,Britawenttothesaeter[6]
withthecattle;andhersister,Grimhild,remainedathometokeephouseonthefarm。Shelovedthelifeinthemountains;thegreatsolitudesometimesmadeherfeelsad,butitwasnotanunpleasantsadness,itwasratheragentletoningdownofalltheshrillandnoisyfeelingsofthesoul。Upthere,intheheartoftheprimevalforest,herwholebeingseemedtoherselfasymphonyofmelodiouswhisperswithavaguedelicioussenseofremotenessandmysteryinthem,whichsheonlyfeltanddidnotattempttoexplain。There,thoseweirdlegendswhich,informerdays,stillheldtheirswayinthefancyofeveryNorsewoman,breathedtheirsecretsintoherear,andshefelthernearnessandkinshiptonature,asatnoothertime。
[6]ThesaeterisaplaceinthemountainswheretheNorwegianpeasantsspendtheirsummerspasturingtheircattle。
Everylargefarmhasitsownsaeter,consistingofoneormorechalets,hedgedinbyafenceofstoneorplanks。
Onenight,asthesunwaslow,andapurplebluishsmokehunglikeathinveiloverthetopsoftheforest,Britahadtakenoutherknittingandseatedherselfonalargemoss—grownstone,onthecroft。Hereyeswanderedoverthebroadvalleywhichwasstretchedoutbelow,andshecouldseetheredroofsoftheBlakstadmansionpeepingforthbetweenthefir—trees。Andshewonderedwhattheyweredoingdownthere,whetherGrimhildhaddonemilking,andwhetherherfatherhadreturnedfromtheford,whereitwashishabitatthishourtoridewiththefootmentowaterthehorses。Asshesatthuswondering,shewasstartledbyacreakinginthedrybrancheshardby,andliftinghereye,shesawatall,ratherclumsilybuilt,youngmanemergingfromthethicket。Hehadabroadbutlowforehead,flaxenhairwhichhungdownoverapairofdullox—likeeyes;hismouthwasratherlargeand,asitwashalfopen,displayedtwomassiverowsofshiningwhiteteeth。Hisredpeakedcaphungonthebackofhisheadand,althoughitwassummer,histhickwadmalvestwasbuttonedcloseuptohisthroat;overhisrightarmhehadflunghisjacket,andinhishandheheldabridle。
\"Goodevening,\"saidBrita,\"andthanksforlastmeeting;\"althoughshewasnotsurethatshehadeverseenhimbefore。
\"Itwasthatbaymare,youknow,\"stammeredthemaninahalfapologetictone,andshookthebridle,asifinfurtherexplanation。
\"Ah,youhavelostyourmare,\"saidthegirl,andshecouldnothelpsmilingathishelplessnessandhisawkwardmanner。
\"Yes,itwasthebaymare,\"answeredhe,inthesamediffidenttone;then,encouragedbyhersmile,hestraightenedhimselfalittleandcontinuedrathermorefluently:\"Sheneverwasquiterightsincethetimethewolveswereafterher。Andthensincetheytookthecoltawayfromherthemilkhasbeentroublingher,andshehasn’tbeenquitelikeherself。\"
\"Ihaven’tseenheranywherehereabouts,\"
saidBrita;\"youmayhavetowanderfar,beforeyougetonthetrackofher。\"
\"Yes,thatisverylikely。AndIamtiredalready。\"
\"Won’tyousitdownandrestyourself?\"
Hedeliberatelyseatedhimselfinthegrass,andgraduallygainedcouragetolookherstraightintheface;andhisdulleyeremainedsteadfastlyfixedonherinawaywhichbespokeunfeignedsurpriseandadmiration。Slowlyhismouthbroadenedintoasmile;buthissmilehadmoreofsadnessthanofjoyinit。Shehad,fromthemomentshesawhim,beenpossessedofastrangelypatronizingfeelingtowardhim。
Shecouldnotbuttreathimasifhehadbeenagirlorsomepersoninferiortoherinstation。
Inspiteofhislargebody,theimpressionhemadeuponherwasthatofweakness;butshelikedthesincerityandkindnesswhichexpressedthemselvesinhissadsmileandlarge,honestblueeyes。Hisgazeremindedherofthatofanox,butithadnotonlytheox’sdullness,butalsoitssimplicityandgood—nature。
Theysattalkingonforawhileabouttheweather,thecattle,andtheprospectsofthecrops。
\"Whatisyourname?\"sheasked,atlast。
\"HalvardHedinsonUllern。\"
Asuddenshockranthroughheratthesoundofthatname;inthenextmomentadeepblushstoleoverhercountenance。
\"Andmyname,\"shesaid,slowly,\"isBritaBjarne’sdaughterBlakstad。\"
Shefixedhereyesuponhim,asiftoseewhateffectherwordsproduced。Buthisfeaturesworethesamesadandplacidexpression;
andnolineinhisfaceseemedtobetrayeithersurpriseorill—will。Thenhersenseofpatronagegrewintooneofsympathyandpity。\"Hemusteitherbeweak—mindedorveryunhappy,\"
thoughtshe,\"andwhatrighthaveIthentotreathimharshly。\"Andshecontinuedhersimple,straightforwardtalkwiththeyoungman,untilhe,too,grewalmosttalkative,andthesadnessofhissmilebegantogivewaytosomethingwhichalmostresembledhappiness。
Shenoticedthechangeandrejoiced。Atlast,whenthesunhadsunkbehindthewesternmountaintops,sheroseandbadehimgood—
night;inanothermomentthedoorofthesaeter—
cottageclosedbehindher,andheheardherboltingitontheinside。Butforalongtimeheremainedsittingonthegrass,andstrangethoughtspassedthroughhishead。Hehadquiteforgottenhisbaymare。
Thenexteveningwhenthemilkingwasdone,andthecattleweregatheredwithinthesaeterenclosure,Britawasagainsittingonthelargestone,lookingoutoverthevalley。Shefeltakindofcompanionshipwiththepeoplewhenshesawthesmokewhirlingupfromtheirchimneys,andshecouldguesswhattheyweregoingtohaveforsupper。Asshesatthere,sheagainheardacreakinginthebranches,andHalvardUllernstoodagainbeforeher,withhisjacketonhisarm,andthesamebridleinhishand。
\"Youhavenotfoundyourbaymareyet?\"
sheexclaimed,laughingly。\"Andyouthinksheislikelytobeinthisneighborhood?\"
\"Idon’tknow,\"heanswered;\"andIdon’tcareifsheisn’t。\"
Hespreadhisjacketonthegrass,andsatdownonthespotwherehehadsatthenightbefore。Britalookedathiminsurpriseandremainedsilent;shedidn’tknowhowtointerpretthissecondvisit。
\"Youareveryhandsome,\"hesaid,suddenly,withagravitywhichleftnodoubtastohissincerity。
\"Doyouthinkso?\"sheanswered,withamerrylaugh。Heappearedtoheralmostachild,anditneverenteredhermindtofeeloffended。Onthecontrary,shewasnotsurebutthatshefeltpleased。
\"Ihavethoughtofyoueversinceyesterday,\"
hecontinued,withthesameimperturbablemanner。\"Andifyouwerenotangrywithme,I
thoughtIwouldliketolookatyouoncemore。
Youaresodifferentfromotherfolks。\"
\"Godblessyourfoolishtalk,\"criedBrita,withafreshburstofmerriment。\"No,indeedIamnotangrywithyou;Ishouldjustassoonthinkofbeingangrywith——withthatcalf,\"
sheaddedforwantofanothercomparison。
\"YouthinkIdon’tknowmuch,\"hestammered。\"AndIdon’t。\"Thesadsmileagainsettledonhiscountenance。
Afeelingofguiltsentthebloodthrobbingthroughherveins。Shesawthatshehaddonehiminjustice。Heevidentlypossessedmoresense,oratleastafinerinstinct,thanshehadgivenhimcreditfor。
\"Halvard,\"shefaltered,\"ifIhaveoffendedyou,IassureyouIdidn’tmeantodoit;andathousandtimesIbegyourpardon。\"
\"Youhaven’toffendedme,Brita,\"answeredhe,blushinglikeagirl。\"Youarethefirstonewhodoesn’tmakemefeelthatIamnotsowiseasotherfolks。\"
Shefeltitherdutytobeopenandconfidingwithhiminreturn;andinordernottoseemungenerous,orrathertoputthemonanequalfootingbygivinghimalsoapeepintoherheart,shetoldhimaboutherdailywork,aboutthemerrypartiesatherfather’shouse,andaboutthelustyladswhogatheredintheirhallstodancetheHallingandthespring—dance。Helistenedattentivelywhileshespoke,gazingearnestlyintoherface,butneverinterruptingher。Inhisturnhedescribedtoherinhisslowdeliberateway,howhisfatherconstantlyscoldedhimbecausehewasnotbright,anddidnotcareforpoliticsandnewspapers,andhowhismotherwoundedhimwithhersharptonguebymakingmerrywithhim,eveninthepresenceoftheservantsandstrangers。Hedidnotseemtoimaginethattherewasanythingwronginwhathesaid,orthatheplacedhimselfinaludicrouslight;nordidheseemtospeakfromanyunmanlycravingforsympathy。HismannerwassosimpleandstraightforwardthatwhatBritaprobablywouldhavefoundstrangeinanother,shefoundperfectlynaturalinhim。
Itwasnearlymidnightwhentheyparted{。}
Shehardlysleptatallthatnight,andshewashalfvexedwithherselffortheinterestshetookinthissimpleyouth。Thenextmorningherfathercameuptopayheravisitandtoseehowtheflockswerethriving。SheunderstoodthatitwouldbedangeroustosayanythingtohimaboutHalvard,forsheknewhistemperandfearedtheresult,ifheshouldeverdiscoverhersecret。Therefore,sheshunnedanopportunitytotalkwithhim,andonlybusiedherselfthemorewiththecattleandthecooking。
Bjarnesoonnoticedherdistraction,but,ofcourse,neversuspectedthecause。Beforehelefther,heaskedherifshedidnotfindittoolonelyonthesaeter,andifitwouldnotbewellifhesentheroneofthemaidsforacompanion。
Shehastenedtoassurehimthatthatwasquiteunnecessary;thecattle—boywhowastheretohelpherwasallthecompanyshewanted。
Towardevening,BjarneBlakstadloadedhishorseswithbuckets,filledwithcheeseandbutter,andstartedforthevalley。Britastoodlonglookingafterhimashedescendedtherockyslope,andshecouldhardlyconcealfromherselfthatshefeltrelieved,when,atlast,theforesthidhimfromhersight。Alldayshehadbeenwalkingaboutwithaheavyheart;thereseemedtobesomethingweighingonherbreast,andshecouldnotthrowitoff。Whowasthiswhohadcomebetweenherandherfather?
Hadsheeverbeenafraidofhimbefore,hadshebeengladtohavehimleaveher?Asuddenbitternesstookpossessionofher,forinherdistress,shegaveHalvardtheblameforallthathadhappened。Shethrewherselfdownonthegrassandburstintoapassionatefitofweeping;
shewasguilty,wretchedlymiserable,andallforthesakeofonewhomshehadhardlyknownfortwodays。Ifheshouldcomeinthismoment,shewouldtellhimwhathehaddonetowardher;andherwishmusthavebeenheard,forassheraisedhereyes,hestoodthereatherside,thesadfeatureabouthismouthandhisgreathonesteyesgazingwonderinglyather。
Shefeltherpurposemeltwithinher;helookedsogoodandsounhappy。Thenagaincamethethoughtofherfatherandofherownwrong,andthebitternessagainrevived。
\"Goaway,\"criedshe,inavoicehalfreluctantlytenderandhalfdefiant。\"Goaway,Isay;Idon’twanttoseeyouanymore。\"
\"Iwillgototheendoftheworldifyouwishit,\"heanswered,withastrangefirmness。
Hepickeduphisjacketwhichhehaddroppedontheground,thenturnedslowly,gavehermotherlonglook,aninfinitelysadandhopelessone,andwent。Herbosomheavedviolently——remorse,affectionandfilialdutywrestleddesperatelyinherheart。
\"No,no,\"shecried,\"whydoyougo?Ididnotmeanitso。Ionlywanted——\"
Hepausedandreturnedasdeliberatelyashehadgone。
WhyshouldIdwelluponthedaysthatfollowed——
howherheartgrewevermorerestless,howshewouldsuddenlywakeupatnightsandseethoselargeblueeyessadlygazingather,howbyturnsshewouldcondemnherselfandhim,andhowshefeltwithbitterpainthatshewasgrowingawayfromthosewhohadhithertobeennearestanddearesttoher。Andstrangetosay,thisveryisolationfromherfathermadeherclingonlythemoredesperatelytohim。ItseemedtoherasifBjarnehaddeliberatelythrownheroff;thatsheherselfhadbeentheonewhotookthefirststephadhardlyoccurredtoher。Alas,hergriefwasasirrationalasherlove。Bywhatstrangedeviousprocessofreasoningtheseconvictionsbecamesettledinhermind,itisdifficulttotell。Itissufficienttoknowthatshewasawomanandthatsheloved。
Sheevenknewherselfthatshewasirrational,andthisverysensedrewhermorehopelesslyintothemazeofthelabyrinthfromwhichshesawnoescape。
Hisvisitswereasregularasthoseofthesun。
Sheknewthattherewasonlyawordofhersneededtobanishhimfromherpresenceforever。
Andhowmanytimesdidshenotresolvetospeakthatword?Butthewordwasneverspoken。Attimesacompanyoftheladsfromthevalleywouldcometospendamerryeveningatthesaeter;butsheheededthemnot,andtheysoondisappeared。Thusthesummerwentamidpassingmoodsofjoyandsorrow。Shehadlongknownthathelovedher,andwhenatlasthisslowconfessioncame,itaddednothingtoherhappiness;itonlyincreasedherfearsforthefuture。Theylaidmanyplanstogetherinthosedays;butwintercameasasurprisetoboth,thecattlewereremovedfromthemountains,andtheywereagainseparated。
BjarneBlakstadlookedlongandwistfullyathisdaughterthatmorning,whenhecametobringherhome。Sheworenomoreringsandbrooches,anditwasthiswhichexcitedBjarne’ssuspicionthateverythingwasnotrightwithher。Formerlyhewasdispleasedbecausesheworetoomany;nowhegrumbledbecausesheworenone。
II。
Thewinterwashalfgone;andinallthistimeBritahadhardlyonceseenHalvard。Yes,once,——itwasChristmas—day,——shehadventuredtopeepovertohispewinthechurch,andhadseenhim,sittingathisfather’sside,andgazingvacantlyoutintotheemptyspace;butashehadcaughtherglance,hehadblushed,andbeganeagerlytoturntheleavesofhishymn—
book。Ittroubledherthathemadenoefforttoseeher;manyaneveningshehadwalkedalonedownattheriver—side,hopingthathemightcome;butitwasallinvain。Shecouldnotbutbelievethathisfathermusthavemadesomediscovery,andthathewaswatched。Inthemeantimetheblackcloudthickenedoverherhead;forasecretgnawedattheveryrootsofherheart。Itwasatimeofterriblesuspenseandsuffering——suchasamanneverknows,suchasonlyawomancanendure。Itwasalmostareliefwhenthecloudburst,andthestormbrokeloose,aspresentlyitdid。
OneSunday,earlyinApril,Bjarnedidnotreturnattheusualhourfromchurch。Hisdaughterswaitedinvainforhimwiththedinner,andatlastbegantogrowuneasy。Itwasnothishabittokeepirregularhours。Therewasagreatexcitementinthevalleyjustthen;
theAmerica—feverhadbrokenout。Alargevesselwaslyingoutinthefjord,readytotaketheemigrantsaway;andtherewashardlyafamilythatdidnotmournthelossofsomebrave—heartedson,orofsomefairandcherisheddaughter。Theoldfolks,ofcourse,hadtoremainbehind;andwhenthechildrenweregone,whatwasthereleftforthembuttoliedownanddie?Americawastothemasdistantasifitwereonanotherplanet。Thefamilyfeeling,too,haseverbeenstrongintheNorseman’sbreast;helivesforhischildren,andseemstolivehislifeoveragaininthem。ItishisgreatestpridetobeabletotracehisbloodbackintothedaysofSverreandSt。Olaf,andwiththesameconfidenceheexpectstoseehisracespreadintothefutureinthesamesoilwhereonceithasstruckroot。ThencomesthestormfromtheWesternseas,wrestleswiththesturdytrunk,andbreaksit;andtheshatteredbranchesflytoallthefourcornersoftheheavens。Nowonder,then,likeatreethathaslostitscrown,hisstrengthisbrokenandheexpectsbuttosmoulderintotheearthanddie。
BjarneBlakstad,likethesturdyoldpatriotthathewas,hadalwaysfiercelydenouncedtheAmericarage;anditwasnowthehopeofhisdaughtersthat,perhaps,hehadstayedbehindtoremindtherestlessonesamongtheyouthoftheirdutytowardtheirland,ortofrightensomeboldemigrationagentwhomighthavebeentooloudinhisdeclamations。Butitwasalreadyeighto’clockandBjarnewasnotyettobeseen。
Thenightwasdarkandstormy;acoldsleetfiercelylashedthewindow—panes,andthewindroaredinthechimney。Grimhild,theyoungersister,ranrestlesslyoutandinandslammedthedoorsafterher。Britasattightlypressedupagainstthewallinthedarkestcorneroftheroom。Everytimethewindshookthehouseshestartedup;thenagainseatedherselfandshuddered。Darkforebodingsfilledhersoul。
Atlast,——theclockhadjuststruckten,——therewasanoiseheardintheouterhall。Grimhildsprangtothedoorandtoreitopen。Atall,stoopingfigureentered,andbythedresssheatoncerecognizedherfather。
\"GoodGod,\"criedshe,andranuptohim。
\"Goaway,child,\"mutteredhe,inavoicethatsoundedstrangelyunfamiliar,andhepushedherroughlyaway。Foramomenthestoodstill,thenstalkeduptothetable,and,withaheavythump,droppeddownintoachair。Thereheremainedwithhiselbowsrestingonhisknees,andabsentlystaringonthefloor。Hislonghairhunginwettanglesdownoverhisface,andthewrinklesabouthismouthseemeddeeperandfiercerthanusual。Nowandthenhesighed,orgaveventtoadeepgroan。Inawhilehiseyesbegantowanderuneasilyabouttheroom;andastheyreachedthecornerwhereBritawassitting,hesuddenlydartedup,asifstungbysomethingpoisonous,seizedabrandfromthehearth,andrushedtowardher。
\"TellmeIdidnotseeit,\"hebrokeforth,inahoarsewhisper,seizingherbythearmandthrustingtheburningbrandcloseuptoherface。
\"Tellmeitisalie——ablack,poisonouslie。\"
Sheraisedhereyesslowlytohisandgazedsteadfastlyintohisface。\"Ah,\"hecontinuedinthesameterriblevoice,\"itwaswhatItoldthemdownthereatthechurch——alie——aninfernallie。AndIdrewblood——blood,Isay——I
did——fromtheslanderer。Ha,ha,ha!Whatalustysprawlthatwas!\"
ThecolorcameanddepartedfromBrita’scheeks。Andstillshewasstrangelyselfpossessed。Sheevenwonderedatherowncalmness。
Alas,shedidnotknowthatitwasacalmnessthatismoreterriblethanpain,thecorpseofaforlornandhopelessheart。
\"Child,\"continuedBjarne,andhisvoiceassumedamorenaturaltone,\"whydostthounotspeak?Theyhaveliedaboutthee,child,becausethouartfair,theyhaveenviedthee。\"
Then,almostimploringly,\"Openthymouth,Brita,andtellthyfatherthatthouartpure——
pureasthesnow,child——myown——mybeautifulchild。\"
Therewasalongandpainfulpause,inwhichthecracklingofthebrand,andtheheavybreathingoftheoldmanweretheonlysoundstobreakthesilence。Palelikeamarbleimagestoodshebeforehim;nowordofexcuse,noprayerforforgivenessescapedher;onlyaconvulsivequiveringofthelipsbetrayedthelifethatstruggledwithinher。WitheverymomentthehopediedinBjarne’sbosom。Hisvisagewasfearfultobehold。Terrorandfierceindomitablehatredhadgrimlydistortedhisfeatures,andhiseyesburnedlikefire—coalsbeneathhisbushybrows。
\"Harlot,\"heshrieked,\"harlot!\"
Acoldgustofwindsweptthroughtheroom。
Thewindowsshook,thedoorsflewopen,asiftouchedbyastronginvisiblehand——andtheoldmanstoodalone,holdingtheflickeringbrandabovehishead。
Itwasaftermidnight,thewindhadabated,butthesnowstillfell,thickandsilent,buryingpathsandfencesunderitscoldwhitemantle。
Onwardshefled——onwardandeveronward。
Andwhither,sheknewnot。Acoldnumbnesshadchilledhersenses,butstillherfeetdroveherirresistiblyonward。Adarkcurrentseemedtohaveseizedher,sheonlyfeltthatshewasadrift,andshecarednotwhitheritboreher。
Inspiteofthestiflingdullnesswhichoppressedher,herbodyseemedaslightasair。Atlast,——
sheknewnotwhere,——sheheardtheroarofthesearesoundinginherears,agenialwarmththawedthenumbnessofhersenses,andshefloatedjoyfullyamongtheclouds——amonggolden,sun—bathedclouds。Whensheopenedhereyes,shefoundherselflyinginacomfortablebed,andayoungwomanwithakindmotherlyfacewassittingatherside。Itwasalllikeadream,andshemadenoefforttoaccountforwhatappearedsostrangeandunaccountable。
Whatsheafterwardheardwasthatafisher—
manhadfoundherinasnow—driftonthestrand,andthathehadcarriedherhometohiscottageandhadgivenherovertothechargeofhiswife。Thiswastheseconddaysinceherarrival。
Theyknewwhoshewas,buthadkeptthedoorslockedandhadtoldnoonethatshewasthere。
Sheheardthestoryofthegoodwomanwithoutemotion;itseemedanintolerableefforttothink。
Butonthethirdday,whenherchildwasborn,hermindwassuddenlyarousedfromitslethargy,andshecalmlymaturedherplans;andforthechild’ssakesheresolvedtoliveandtoact。
Thatsameeveningtherecamealittleboywithabundleforher。Sheopeneditandfoundthereintheclothesshehadleftbehind,and——
herbrooches。Sheknewthatitwashersisterwhohadsentthem;thentherewasonewhostillthoughtofherwithaffection。Andyetherfirstimpulsewastosenditallback,ortothrowitintotheocean;butshelookedatherchildandforbore。
Aweekpassed,andBritarecovered。OfHalvardshehadheardnothing。Onenight,asshelayinahalfdoze,shethoughtshehadSeenapale,frightenedfacepressedupagainstthewindow—pane,andstaringfixedlyatherandherchild;but,afterall,itmighthavebeenmerelyadream。Forherfeveredfancyhadintheselastdaysfrequentlybeguiledherintosimilarvisions。Sheoftenthoughtofhim,but,strangelyenough,nomorewithbitterness,butwithpity。Hadhebeenstrongenoughtobewicked,shecouldhavehatedhim,buthewasweak,andshepitiedhim。Thenitwasthat;oneevening,assheheardthattheAmericanvesselwastosailatdaybreak,shetookherlittleboyandwrappedhimcarefullyinherownclothes,badefarewelltothegoodfishermanandhiswife,andwalkedalonedowntothestrand。Hugecloudsoffantasticshapeschasedeachotherdesperatelyalongthehorizon,andnowandthentheslendernewmoonglancedforthfromthedeepbluegulfsbetween。Shechoseaboatatrandomandwasabouttounmoorit,whenshesawthefigureofamantreadcarefullyoverthestonesandhesitatinglyapproachher。
\"Brita,\"cameinawhisperfromthestrand。
\"Who’sthere?\"
\"ItisI。Fatherknowsitall,andhehasnearlykilledme;andmother,too。\"
\"Isthatwhatyouhavecometotellme?\"
\"No,Iwouldliketohelpyousome。Ihavebeentryingtoseeyouthesemanydays。\"Andhesteppedcloseuptotheboat。
\"Thankyou;Ineednohelp。\"
\"But,Brita,\"imploredhe,\"Ihavesoldmygunandmydog,andeverythingIhad,andthisiswhatIhavegotforit。\"Hestretchedouthishandandreachedheraredhandkerchiefwithsomethingheavyboundupinacorner。
Shetookitmechanically,helditinherhandforamoment,thenflungitfaroutintothewater。
Asmileofprofoundcontemptandpitypassedoverhercountenance。
\"Farewell,Halvard,\"saidshe,calmly,andpushedtheboatintothewater。
\"But,Brita,\"criedhe,indespair,\"whatwouldyouhavemedo?\"
Sheliftedthechildinherarms,thenpointedtothevacantseatatherside。Heunderstoodwhatshemeant,andstoodforamomentwavering。
Suddenly,hecoveredhisfacewithhishandsandburstintotears。Withinhalfanhour,Britaboardedthevessel,andasthefirstredstripeofthedawnilluminedthehorizon,thewindfilledthesails,andtheshipglidedwestwardtowardthatlandwherethereisahomeforthemwhomloveandmisfortunehaveexiled。
Itwasalongandwearisomevoyage。TherewasanoldEnglishclergymanonboard,whocollectedcuriosities;tohimshesoldherringsandbrooches,andtherebyobtainedmorethansufficientmoneytopayherpassage。Shehardlyspoketoanyoneexceptherchild。Thoseofherfellow—parishionerswhoknewher,andperhapsguessedherhistory,keptalooffromher,andshewasgratefultothemthattheydid。
Frommorningtillnight,shesatinacornerbetweenapileofdeckfreightandthekitchenskylight,andgazedatherlittleboywhowaslyinginherlap。Allherhopes,herfuture,andherlifewereinhim。Forherself,shehadceasedtohope。
\"Icangivetheenofatherland,mychild,\"shesaidtohim。\"Thoushaltneverknowthenameofhimwhogavetheelife。ThouandI,weshallstruggletogether,and,astrueasthereisaGodabove,whoseesus,Hewillnotleaveeitherofustoperish。Butletusasknoquestions,child,aboutthatwhichispast。Thoushaltgrowandbestrong,andthymothermustgrowwiththee。\"
Duringthethirdweekofthevoyage,theEnglishclergymanbaptizedtheboy,andshecalledhimThomas,afterthedayinthealmanaconwhichhewasborn。HeshouldneverknowthatNorwayhadbeenhismother’shome;
thereforeshewouldgivehimnonamewhichmightbetrayhisrace。Onemorning,earlyinthemonthofJune,theyhailedland,andthegreatNewWorldlaybeforethem。
III。
WhyshouldIspeakoftheceaselesscare,thesuffering,andthehardtoil,whichmadethefirstfewmonthsofBrita’slifeonthiscontinentamerecontinuedstruggleforexistence?Theyarefamiliartoeveryemigrantwhohascomeherewithabraveheartandanemptypurse。
Sufficeittosaythatattheendofthesecondmonth,shesucceededinobtainingserviceasmilkmaidwithafamilyintheneighborhoodofNewYork。Withthelinguistictalentpeculiartoherpeople,shesoonlearnedtheEnglishlanguageandevenspokeitwell。Fromhercountrymen,shekeptasfarawayaspossible,notforherownsake,butforthatofherboy;forhewastogrowgreatandstrong,andtheknowledgeofhisbirthmightshatterhisstrengthandbreakhiscourage。ForthesamereasonshealsoexchangedherpicturesqueNorsecostumeforthatofthepeopleamongwhomshewasliving。ShewentcommonlybythenameofMrs。Brita,whichpronouncedintheEnglishway,soundedverymuchlikeMrs。Bright,andthisatlastbecamethenamebywhichshewasknownintheneighborhood。
Thusfiveyearspassed;thentherewasagreatrageforemigratingtothefarWest,andBrita,withmanyothers,startedforChicago。Thereshearrivedintheyear1852,andtookupherlodgingswithanIrishwidow,whowaslivinginalittlecottageinwhatwasthentermedtheoutskirtsofthecity。Thosewhosawherinthosedays,goingaboutthelumber—yardsanddoingaman’swork,wouldhardlyhaverecognizedinherthemerryGlitter—Brita,whointimesofoldtrodthespring—dancesogaylyinthewell—lightedhallsoftheBlakstadmansion。