Immediately the others began to ask him to
explainonce more just what had taken place. Mother, said the little boy, is that my
sister? The gamekeeper bowed, and said to his betrothed, Thank the counsellorand her
ladyship, Mette.
My husband and I kept an eye on her, for we were
afraid.
Soon it was cast up onland; a man caught it,
carried it higher up, and loosed the rope.
Reeling and staggering, the ship came
on.
The parish will have to take care of it, said the
son.
The sand from the dunes whipped our faces, and the
froth flew overour heads like snowflakes.
We had better bring it to the minister, said the
son-in-law.
Then all sprang up just asquickly and caught each
other by the hand. A man came out from the deckhouse, awoman after him. With these
words she rose, slung the basket over her back, and gave meGods peace and farewell.
Then hecan do with it whatever he thinks best. When he had ended his silent prayer,
he said, Come,Terkil, come and kiss your greatgrandpa. No wind was noticeable, but
the incessant roaring of the oceansounded louder. ButI could see nothing, and my
anxiety grew.
The baby smiled as if it understood, and reached
out its little hands toits new mother. But that I was sorry for many atime, for
there was no peace by night or by day.
The ropes in the rigging were loosened, and thrown
hither andthither; the masts were toppling. Dontyou think this little one is to be
pitied? Vilhelm nodded witha quiet smile, and went out.
Butthat time he was alive and married and had one
boy, but not any morechildren. Not if she was the only ship on the ocean, was the
answer.
The second bar was passed in thesame
way.
All went home; I went with my host and his
family.
Marie said nothing, but looked as if she might do
mostanything. His pointer ledthe searchers to the spot.
On the way home, toward evening, he came riding to
Them Inn about fourmiles west of Himmelbjerget.
At that she grasped the spade and began to dig in
the sand.
In afew minutes we were ready and left the
house.
Building houses, greatgrandpa, said the
boy.
Vilhelm nodded witha quiet smile, and went out. He
stayedaway for two days and for three.
The baby smiled as if it understood, and reached
out its little hands toits new mother. He cast a glance at the sea and then at the
land.