that he would be received kindly, and
treated as a member of my family."

The straightforwardness of this communication had its effect on John
Hardy's open character, and he replied that he would accept the
conditions stipulated, but that he could do so only on a payment of a
monthly sum, which he was advised in Copenhagen was a full
compensation, and rather more than would be expected, for the
accommodation and cost that might be incurred by the Danish Pastor.

The reply from the Jutland parsonage was: "The evident consideration
shown by your answer to my letter should be sufficient, but before you
come here will you kindly give me references in Copenhagen, or, if
that be difficult, in England, where I might make inquiry. I am the
Pastor of the parish where I reside, and it is due to my position that
I should make inquiry before I can admit any one to my house under any
circumstances. I do not wish to ask what is not right or reasonable,
but as I am situated it is a necessity, however advantageous your
coming here might be to me."

This reply impressed John Hardy more than the previous communication,
and he replied with the address of a bank in Copenhagen, with
reference to his own bankers in London, for which John Hardy had to
wait a week in Copenhagen. These replies were to the effect that John
Hardy was a gentleman of position and character in England, and that
any amount that might be incurred by him for expenses in Denmark would
at once be paid by the Danish bank.

John Hardy, it must be confessed, would rather have been fishing in
the Gudenaa than waiting for references that would show he was to be
trusted in a Danish household; but he was assured in Copenhagen that
in Jutland an introduction is not only necessary, but that it should
be supported by references, which when once done in a satisfactory
manner, then the natural kindness of the Jutland people would be open
to him. John Hardy's later experiences led him to recognize how true
the advice he received in Copenhagen was in this respect.

He left Copenhagen by the steamer for Aarhus, and went by rail to a
small station on the railway, where the Pastor met him with a
two-horse vehicle, that made the small distance of eight English miles
a journey of nearly three hours. The Pastor was a man of fifty, with a
fresh complexion and a kindly face, and asked many questions of John
Hardy's family and friends, his position in England, his age, the
income from hi