onservative newspapers, and
on election days he votes against all his parish. The farmer maintains
and pays him, but his conviction is that he is better than any farmer.
What, therefore, can be more stiff-necked of him than to refuse to
serve his country with his own, reverend person? Off with his black
coat and clap on a red, and let the corporal teach him. He is a
learned fellow, but, doubtless, stupid at drill."

"That last," said Hardy, "is a reference to Holberg's play of 'Erasmus
Montanus.'"

"Yes," said Pastor Lindal; "and it amused the country. But they got
hold of another idea, and tore it to shreds: they said if the flock
goes to war, the shepherd should not be absent. The result, however,
was that theological candidates are liable to military service, and it
makes a difference of possibly twenty men yearly. It, however, proves
one thing, and that is, the Lower House had got hold of the clerical
gown, and were determined, with bull-dog tenacity, to rend it."

"A similar question in England," said Hardy, "would have produced the
same result."

"That I can well believe," said the Pastor; "but with you a
congregation can be sold to the highest bidder, and is. There is no
thought in England of adjusting the payment for church work to the
work done, and so long as this exists it is a dangerous feature."

"Without doubt," said Hardy.

Before going to bed, Hardy said to Froken Helga, "Good night," as he
had done on previous nights, without more than a bow; but to his
surprise she held out her hand, and said--

"Thank you, Herr Hardy; I have rarely seen my father so interested to
talk with any one, and it is kind of you to interest him."

"It is the contrary, Froken Helga; he interests me," said Hardy.

CHAPTER V.

"Hunting trains up the younger nobility to the use
of manly exercises in their riper age."
--_The Complete Angler._

To John Hardy the days passed pleasantly at the little Danish
parsonage. He taught the boys English a short time daily, and their
bright faces and strong desire to learn made Hardy interested in their
progress. If they were inclined to be inattentive, which was rare, the
hint that he should not take them with him fishing secured earnest and
immediate attention. The Pastor saw that the boys made progress in
learning English with Hardy, and he himself taught them several hours
daily, or, if he were absent, he set them work to do, and his daughter
Helga sat i