FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31   32  
33   34   35   36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43   44   45   46   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57   >>   >|  
t, when a draught of tansy would have the same effect--this was what Soeren could not put up with. But, of course, although the daily affairs were settled by Soeren Man, there were occasions when Maren insisted on having her way--more so when it seriously affected _her_ offspring. Then she could--as with witchcraft--suddenly forget her good behavior, brush aside Soeren's arguments as endless nonsense, and would stand there like a stone wall which one could neither climb over, nor get round. Afterwards he would be sorry that the magic word which should have brought Maren down from her high and mightiness, failed him at the critical moment. For she _was_ a fool--especially when it affected her offspring. But, whether right or wrong, when she had her great moments, fate spoke through her mouth, and Soeren was wise enough to remain silent. This time it certainly seemed as if Maren was in the right; for the cure which the homeopathist prescribed, effervescent powder and sweet milk, had a wonderful effect. Soerine throve and grew fat, so that it was a pleasure to see her. There can be too much of a good thing, and Soeren Man, who had to provide the food, was the first to think of this. Soerine and her mother talked much together and wondered what the illness could be, could it be this or could it be that? There was a great to-do and much talking with their heads together; but, as soon as Soeren appeared, they became silent. He had become quite unreasonable, going about muttering and swearing. As though it was not hard enough already, especially for the poor girl! He had no patience with a sick person, beggar that he was; and one day it broke out from him with bitterness and rage: "She must be--it can be nothing else." But like a tiger, Maren was upon him. "What are you talking about, you old stupid? Have _you_ borne eight children, or has the girl told you what's amiss? A sin and a shame it is to let her hear such talk; but now it is done, you might just as well ask her yourself. Answer your father, Soerine--is it true, what he says?" Soerine sat drooping by the fireplace, suffering and scared. "Then it would be like the Virgin Mary," she whispered, without looking up. And suddenly sank down, sobbing. "There, you can see yourself, what a blockhead you are," said Maren harshly. "The girl is as pure as an unborn child. And here you come, making all this racket in the house, while the child, perhaps, may be o
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31   32  
33   34   35   36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43   44   45   46   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

Soeren

 

Soerine

 
talking
 

silent

 

offspring

 

effect

 

suddenly

 
affected
 

stupid

 

beggar


swearing

 

muttering

 

unreasonable

 
bitterness
 
patience
 

person

 

sobbing

 
blockhead
 

whispered

 

suffering


scared
 

Virgin

 
harshly
 

making

 

racket

 

unborn

 

fireplace

 

drooping

 

children

 
father

Answer

 

wonderful

 

endless

 
nonsense
 

Afterwards

 
mightiness
 
failed
 

critical

 

brought

 
arguments

affairs

 
settled
 
draught
 

occasions

 

insisted

 

witchcraft

 

forget

 
behavior
 
moment
 

provide