thilde Jensen
from its incompleteness.

"The fact is, Herr Hardy," she said, "you want a wife. You have no
idea how to manage anything. We have none of us a napkin, and
everything is served abominably."

"I hope to induce my mother to come here next summer," said Hardy; but
he knew Mrs. Hardy of Hardy Place would scarcely adapt herself to the
situation Froken Mathilde suggested.

"No doubt your mother will do everything," said Froken Mathilde, "but
a wife is the one thing needful."

"Possibly," said Hardy. "I will consult my mother on the subject."

"I do not like, Mathilde," said Fru Jensen, "your saying such things
to Herr Hardy. It is not what I should have said when I was your age."

"That may be, little mother," replied Froken Mathilde; "but Englishmen
are very dull, and you had none to talk to."

As they rode back to the Jensens' Herregaard, the two girls wanted to
race the horses back, to Herr Jensen's and his wife's great alarm.

Hardy told them their parents did not wish it, and that, as they did
not, he did not; and he, instead of riding with them, rode by the side
of the proprietor's carriage. And when they arrived at the Herregaard,
the girls dismounted, and Froken Mathilde said, with much emphasis--

"Herr Hardy, we thank you for your kindness to us, but we both vote
that you are frightfully dull and a bore; but we like you very much."

The hospitable proprietor would not hear of Hardy's leaving; a glass
of schnaps was inevitable and a smoke, and Rosendal was discussed
again and again, and its advantages and defects considered from every
point of view.

At last, Hardy left, and rode to Vandstrup Praestegaard, in time for a
later dinner than usual Hardy told the Pastor of the practical advice
Proprietor Jensen had given him, and the Pastor commented on it and
approved.

Froken Helga asked if the Fru Jensen had given him any advice.

"Yes," said Hardy, "and very good advice, about the management of the
people and dairy." But, he added, the Froken Jensens had decidedly
advised him to marry, so as to have some one to manage these details
for him; but he had replied that he must consult his mother on such a
subject.

"And which you intend to do, Herr Hardy?" asked Helga.

"Certainly," said Hardy.

CHAPTER XIV.

"Good God, how sweet are all things here!
How beautiful the fields appear!
How cleanly do we feed and lie!
Lord, what good hours do we keep;
How quietly