y
wander out into the country, and drum there for bacon and groats. The
New Year's drumming in lasts until about Easter."

"And then we have new pastimes," said the Kammerjunker.

"Then come the fishers from Stige, [Author's Note: A fishing village
in Odense Fjord.] with a complete band, and carrying a boat upon their
shoulders ornamented with a variety of flags. After that they lay a
board between two boats, and upon this two of the youngest and the
strongest have a wrestling-match, until one of them falls into the
water. The last years they both have allowed themselves to tumble in.
And this has been done in consequence of one young man who fell in being
so stung by the jeers which his fall had occasioned that he left, that
same day, the fishing village, after which no one saw him. But all the
fun is gone now! In my boyhood the merriment was quite another thing.
It was a fine sight when the corporation paraded with their ensign
and harlequin on the top! And at Easter, when the butchers led about a
bullock ornamented with ribbons and Easter-twigs, on the back of which
was seated a little winged boy in a shirt. They had Turkish music, and
carried flagons with them! See! all that have I outlived, and yet I am
not so old. Baron Wilhelm must have seen the ornamented ox. Now all that
is past and gone; people are got so refined! Neither is St. Knud's fair
that which it used to be."

"For all that, I rejoice that it is not so!" said Wilhelm. "But we will
go into the market and visit the Jutlanders, who are sitting there among
the heath with their earthenware. You will stand a chance there, Mr.
Thostrup, of meeting with an old acquaintance; only you must not have
home-sickness when you smell the heather and hear the ringing of the
clattering pots!"

The ladies now entered. Before paying any visits they determined upon
making the round of the market. The Kammerjunker offered his arm to the
mother. Otto saw this with secret gladness, and approached Sophie. She
accepted him willingly as an attendant; they must indeed get into the
throng.

As in the Middle Ages the various professions had their distinct streets
and quarters, so had they also here. The street which led to the market
place, and which in every-day life was called the "Shoemaker Street,"
answered perfectly to its name. The shoemakers had ranged their tables
side by side. These, and the rails which had been erected for the
purpose, were hung over with all kinds o