按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
for Norway。
IV。
Warm and gentle as it is； June often comes to the fjord…valleys of
Norway with the voice and the strength of a giant。 The glaciers totter
and groan； as if in anger at their own weakness； and send huge avalanches
of stones and ice down into the valleys。 The rivers swell and rush with
vociferous brawl out over the mountain… sides； and a thousand tiny brooks
join in the general clamor； and dance with noisy chatter over the moss…
grown birch…roots。 But later； when the struggle is at an end； and June has
victoriously seated herself upon her throne； her voice becomes more richly
59
… Page 60…
TALES FROM TWO HEMISPHERES。
subdued and brings rest and comfort to the ear and to the troubled heart。
It was while the month was in this latter mood that Brita and her son
entered once more the valley whence； twenty…five years ago； they had fled。
Many strange； turbulent emotions stirred the mother's bosom； as she saw
again the great snow…capped mountains； and the calm； green valley； her
childhood's home； lying so snugly sheltered in their mighty embrace。
Even Thomas's breast was moved with vaguely sympathetic throbs； as this
wondrous scene spread itself before him。 They soon succeeded in hiring
a farm…house； about half an hour's walk from Blakstad； and； according to
Brita's wish； established themselves there for the summer。 She had
known the people well； when she was young； but they never thought of
identifying her with the merry maid； who had once startled the parish by
her sudden flight； and she； although she longed to open her heart to them；
let no word fall to betray her real character。 Her conscience accused her
of playing a false part； but for her son's sake she kept silent。
Then； one day；it was the second Sunday after their arrival；she rose
early in the morning； and asked Thomas to accompany her on a walk up
through the valley。 There was Sabbath in the air； the soft breath of
summer； laden with the perfume of fresh leaves and field…flowers； gently
wafted into their faces。 The sun glittered in the dewy grass； the crickets
sung with a remote voice of wonder； and the air seemed to be half visible；
and moved in trem… bling wavelets on the path before them。 Resting on
her son's arm； Brita walked slowly up through the flowering meadows； she
hardly knew whither her feet bore her； but her heart beat violently； and she
often was obliged to pause and press her hands against her bosom； as if to
stay the turbulent emotions。
〃You are not well； mother；〃 said the son。 〃It was imprudent in me to
allow you to exert yourself in this way。〃
〃Let us sit down on this stone；〃 answered she。 〃I shall soon be better。
Do not look so anxiously at me。 Indeed； I am not sick。〃
He spread his light summer coat on the stone and carefully seated her。
She lifted her veil and raised her eyes to the large red…roofed mansion；
whose dark outlines drew themselves dimly on the dusky background of
the pine forest。 Was he still alive； he whose life…hope she had wrecked；
60
… Page 61…
TALES FROM TWO HEMISPHERES。
he who had once driven her out into the night with all but a curse upon his
lips？ How would he receive her； if she were to return？ Ah； she knew
him； and she trembled at the very thought of meeting him。 But was not
the guilt hers？ Could she depart from this valley； could she die in peace；
without having thrown herself at his feet and implored his for… giveness？
And there； on the opposite side of the valley； lay the home of him who had
been the cause of all her misery。 What had been his fate； and did he still
remember those long happy summer days； ah！ so long； long ago？ She
had dared to ask no questions of the people with whom she lived； but now
a sudden weakness had overtaken her； and she felt that to…day must decide
her fate； she could no longer bear this torture of uncertainty。 Thomas
remained standing at her side and looked at her with anxiety and wonder。
He knew that she had concealed many things from him； but whatever her
reasons might be； he was confident that they were just and weighty。 It
was not for him to question her about what he might have no right to know。
He felt as if he had never loved her as in this moment； when she seemed to
be most in need of him； and an overwhelming tenderness took possession
of his heart。 He suddenly stooped down； took her pale； thin face between
his hands and kissed her。 The long pent…up emotion burst forth in a flood
of tears； she buried her face in her lap and wept long and silently。 Then
the church…bells began to peal down in the valley； and the slow mighty
sound floated calmly and solemnly up to them。 How many long…
forgotten memories of childhood and youth did they not wake in her
bosom memories of the time when the merry Glitter… Brita； decked with
her shining brooches； wended her way to the church among the gayly…
dressed lads and maidens of the parish？
A cluster of white…stemmed birches threw its shadow over the stone
where the penitent mother was sitting； and the tall grass on both sides of
the path nearly hid her from sight。 Presently the church…folk began to
appear； and Brita raised her head and drew her veil down over her face。
No one passed without greeting the strangers； and the women and maidens；
according to old fashion； stopped and courtesied。 At last； there came an
old white…haired man； leaning on the arm of a middle…aged woman。 His
whole figure was bent forward； and he often stopped and drew his breath
61
… Page 62…
TALES FROM TWO HEMISPHERES。
heavily。
〃Oh； yes； yes；〃 he said； ill a hoarse； broken voice； as he passed before
them； 〃age is gaining on me fast。 I can't move about any more as of old。
But to church I must this day。 God help me！ I have done much wrong
and need to pray for forgiveness。〃
〃You had better sit down and rest； father；〃 said the woman。 〃Here is
a stone； and the fine lady； I am sure； will allow a weak old man to sit down
beside her。〃
Thomas rose and made a sign to the old man to take his seat。
〃O yes； yes；〃 he went on murmuring； as if talking to himself。 〃Much
wrongmuch forgiveness。 God help us allmiserable sinners。 He who
hateth not father and motherand daughter is not worthy of me。 O； yes
yes God comfort us all。 Help me up； Grimhild。 I think I can move on
again； now。〃
Thomas； of course； did not understand a word of what he said； but
seeing that he wished to rise； he willingly offered his assistance； supported
his arm and raised him。
〃Thanks to you； young man；〃 said the peasant。 〃And may God reward
your kindness。〃
And the two； father and daughter； moved on； slowly and laboriously；
as they had come。 Thomas stood following them with his eyes； until a
low； half…stifled moan suddenly called him to his mother's side。 Her
frame trembled violently。
〃Mother； mother；〃 implored he； stooping over her； 〃what has happened？
Why are you no more yourself？〃
〃Ah； my son； I can bear it no longer；〃 sobbed she。 〃God forgive me
thou must know it all。〃
He sat down at her side and drew her closely up to him and she hid her
face on his bosom。 There was a long silence； only broken by the loud
chirruping of the crickets。
〃My son；〃 she began at last； still hiding her face； 〃thou art a child of
guilt。〃
〃That has been no secret to me； mother；〃 answered he； gravely and
tenderly； 〃since I was old enough to know what guilt was。〃
62
… Page 63…
TALES FROM TWO HEMISPHERES。
She quickly raised her head； and a look of amazement； of joyous
surprise； shone through the tears that veiled her eyes。 She coul