g than I am," replied Karl, "and she
is so good to me and Axel, and gives up everything for us. She is four
years older."

At last a letter came to John Hardy, from Vandstrup Praestegaard.

"Herr Hardy,

"My father desires me to say that they are proceeding with the work at
Rosendal, and that there is nothing specially to report at present, as
there is nothing being done contrary to your wishes, and there is no
room for complaint on what is being done.

"My father also desires me to express his thanks for your kindness
about the tickets from Esbjerg. It was a matter that surprised us all,
except me, and it was my fault in saying that my coming back from
Esbjerg would be an additional cost to him; I understood the
completeness of your kindness at once. I felt you would not let it be
a burden to my father on my account and Axel, and that when you were
taking the tickets that you might as well include my father's also;
but to take first-class tickets was not necessary, and what we did not
wish.

"I promised to write if I caught a trout that weighed one pound,
English, by your measure. I have fished many times, and caught one by
the bend in the river just below the tile works. Axel got it into the
landing-net, and my father has seen it weighed, and it is just a
little heavier than the line that marks the one pound English. I thank
you also for your consideration in this. My father is pleased to see
me looking fresh and well after going out fishing, and he says no fish
are so good as those Helga catches. I thank you, Herr Hardy, for your
thinking that this would also please my father.

"We all send you friendly greeting from here, and our best affection
to Karl.

"Helga Lindal."

John Hardy translated the letter for his mother, and gave it to her
with the original.

"Her handwriting is ladylike, John," said his mother, "there is no
doubt of that; and she writes such a beautiful, simple letter! I like
her, John! If you love her, do not lose her for the world."

John Hardy was touched.

"Bless you, my mother," he said; "your heart is as mine; you love
again with your son's love. But I know it is best to wait until May,
when we can go there."

Karl Lindal wrote to his father in Denmark.

"My all-dearest Father,

"The kindness I receive from Herr Hardy and his mother is great. They
are most kind. I feel it not possible to express my thanks; but I am
always trying to be useful, to show how thankful I am. They