John, positively John."

"I cannot pronounce it as you do," said Helga, "and I am afraid you
will laugh at me. The name with us is spelt 'Jon,' pronounced 'Yon.'
We have also 'Johan,' pronounced 'Yohan.'"

"I am aware of the learning you exhibit, Helga; but, notwithstanding,
my name is John, and if you do not call me so, I shall be obliged to
kiss you until you do, and my mother will say I shall be quite
justified in taking that course."

Helga went and sat down by Mrs. Hardy.

"He is teasing me," she said, as she laid her head on Mrs. Hardy's
lap.

"John," said Mrs. Hardy, as she touched Helga's cheek, "you do not
take care of your Scandinavian princess; her skin is so thin and
clear, that this little cheek is at fever heat with the action of the
sun and wind. Tell my maid to bring the lotion I use, and a sponge."

"Thank you, Mrs. Hardy," said Helga, "but I do not mind the sun
burning me; it makes my face a little warm, that is all."

"She does not know how handsome she is, John," said Mrs. Hardy, in
French; "but her beauty lies in this, that there is nothing so
beautiful as what is true."

After lunch, John Hardy told one of his men to fetch some rope quoits,
to amuse Axel, and cleared part of the deck for the purpose. Helga,
however, joined in the game with the zest of a child; her clear voice
and laughter and natural grace made conquests of the yacht sailors.

"Uncommon neat about the spars!" exclaimed an old salt; "a smart craft
when she's got all her sails bent, I'll be bound."

"Well, pilot," said Hardy, "where can you put us in for shelter for
the night? We want to go up the Christiania Fjord by daylight, and
when the ladies will be on deck. It has, besides, been a long run for
the engineers."

"We shall have Frederikstad abeam at ten tonight, if she goes as she's
going, and we can lay off there until the morning," replied the pilot.
"There is no anger in the weather, and it will be a fine night. In
fact, there will be no night; we are close on St. Hans' night, the
longest day."

"We will keep the fires banked, anyway," said Hardy, "and set a
watch.''

"Yes, better weigh," said the pilot. "The chances are the custom-house
officers will board, and you had best keep your burgee and ensign
flying, as then they may not trouble you."

At six the wind fell, and the sails were taken in, and the sea was
soon without a ripple. Mrs. Hardy and Helga sat on deck after dinner,
enjoying the changing beauty