n the room until the Pastor returned.

Hardy accompanied him in his visits to his Sogneborn (literally,
parish children), and he gradually became acquainted with the Danish
farmers, and was known in the parish as Praesten's Englaender, or the
parson's Englishman. He was amused by the habits of many of the men,
in treating him as if he was a harmless idiot, to be humoured and
always answered in the affirmative. Stories were told him of how in
some parts of the river there were trout et Par Alen long (about four
feet), but to amuse the idiot for the moment.

The peculiarity of knickerbockers received much consideration, and it
was a frequent question if Hardy adopted that dress for a sickness in
his legs. Hardy's knowledge of farming and the management of cattle,
particularly horses, was an unfailing source of conversation. There
are many good horses bred in Jutland for sale in England, Germany, and
Sweden. The original breed appeared to Hardy to be either Hungarian or
Polish. These horses are well adapted for light carriage work; and
many a horse foaled on a Jutland farm has been in a London carriage,
to the considerable profit of the importer.

The evenings at the parsonage passed in conversation with the Pastor,
who held a sort of tobacco parliament. Hardy was a good listener, and
was anxious to perfect himself in the Danish language. Froken Helga
knitted and listened. The boys learned lessons or played games. The
Pastor liked to hear his daughter sing; but it would be doing that
worthy man strong injustice to say he liked the piano, which was very
old and worse than worthless. It was to Hardy's ear torture to hear it
in contrast with Froken Helga's clear voice. At last he could stand it
no longer, and the matter came to a crisis.

"Herr Pastor," said Hardy, "when at the exhibition of Copenhagen, of
your national industry, I was much struck by the tone of a piano by a
Copenhagen maker, and I have ordered one, and I shall be much indebted
to you if you will allow it to be sent here until I return to
England."

"There will be much extra expense attached to that plan," replied the
Pastor, "and, besides, it might get injured here."

"Those considerations I am fully prepared for," said Hardy; "but if I
may take the leaf from my mouth, as you Danes say, or speak plainly,
your piano is worn out, and is spoiling Froken Helga's ear and taste
for music. Her voice is excellent, and rings as clearly as a silver
bell; but th