. My child belongs to the so-called idolatrous
Church of Rome. I am one of the very last of the 'heathen
barbarians,'"--and the old fellow smiled sarcastically, "though, truth
to tell, for a barbarian, I am not such a fool as some folks would have
you think. If the snuffling Dyceworthy and I competed at a spelling
examination, I'm pretty sure 'tis I would have the prize! But, as I
said,--you know us,--and if our ways are likely to offend you, then let
us part good friends before the swords are fairly drawn."

"No sword will be drawn on my side, I assure you, sir," said Errington,
advancing and laying one hand on the _bonde's_ shoulder. "I hope you
will believe me when I say I shall esteem it an honor and a privilege to
know more of you."

"And though you won't accept me as a servant of Odin," added Lorimer,
"you really cannot prevent me from trying to make myself agreeable to
you. I warn you, Mr. Gueldmar, I shall visit you pretty frequently! Such
men as you are not often met with."

Olaf Gueldmar looked surprised. "You really mean it?" he said. "Nothing
that I have told you affects you? You still seek our friendship?"

They both earnestly assured him that they did, and as they spoke Thelma
rose from her low seat and faced them with a bright smile.

"Do you know," she said, "that you are the first people who, on visiting
us once, have ever cared to come again? Ah, you look surprised, but it
is so, is it not, father?"

Gueldmar nodded a grave assent.

"Yes," she continued demurely, counting on her little white fingers, "we
are three things--first, we are accursed; secondly, we have the evil
eye; thirdly, we are not respectable!"

And she broke into a peal of laughter, ringing and sweet as a chime of
bells. The young men joined her in it; and, still with an amused
expression on her lovely face, leaning her head back against a cluster
of pale roses, she went on--

"My father dislikes Mr. Dyceworthy so much, because he wants to--to--oh,
what is it they do to savages, father? Yes, I know,--to convert us,--to
make us Lutherans. And when he finds it all no use, he is angry; and,
though he is so religious, if he hears any one telling some untruth
about us in Bosekop, he will add another thing equally untrue, and so it
grows and grows, and--why! what is the matter with you?" she exclaimed
in surprise as Errington scowled and clenched his fist in a peculiarly
threatening manner.

"I should like to knock him down!" he