, and there is but a short time to
get his clothes and shirts made."

'"The less he takes the better," replied Hardy. "It is better he
should get his clothes in England. He will then appear like lads of
the same age do in England in dress. It is very galling to a lad not
to be dressed as other boys. English boys are apt to tease on the
subject of anything foreign in dress and manner. I know it is not good
conduct to do so, but it is done. If, therefore, you will let me order
his things in England, it will be best, and save you much trouble
now."

"But my father would find it difficult to pay for the expensive
English things," retorted Helga.

"No, he will not; that I will care for," said Hardy, using a familiar
Danish phrase.

"Then I must mention it to my father," said Helga.

"Certainly," said Hardy; "but tell him that as I have undertaken to
make an effort on Karl's behalf to assist him to an independent
position, it will be less difficult for me to do so if he is well
dressed."

"You despise everything Danish, Herr Hardy, even a boy's clothes,"
said Helga, as she was leaving the room.

"Stop," said Hardy; "I want to ask you one question. Do you not
yourself think, Froken Helga, that what I propose is best for Karl?"

"Yes," said Helga, almost involuntarily.

"Then why should you suggest to me that I despise everything Danish?"
asked Hardy. "No country has interested me more."

Helga looked at him, as if begging him to say no more, and went to her
father's study. She told him what Hardy had said. "I think it is so
noble of him, little father, to be so considerate; he seems to think
beforehand of everything."

"Yes," said Pastor Lindal, "I have learnt to know that if he does
anything, he is sure to find out the kindest way to do it. I will go
at once and thank him."

"And I told him, little father, that he despised everything Danish,
even to a boy's clothes," said Helga, between whom and her father
existed a perfect trust in one another; "and he looked hurt, and I
feel so sorry, little father."

"You treat him as if you disliked him, Helga, but if you do he has
certainly given no cause, and he is entitled to common civility. I
think what you told me you said to him at the horse-race was
irritating and wrong."

"I feel it was, little father, but I do my utmost to try not to like
him or any one. Kirstin has told him that my duty is to you and Karl
and Axel, and that I could never marry. I know it is