lse
would most likely prefer taking him."

Joergen answered so shortly, when thus spoken to, that it was difficult
to ascertain what he thought; but the old man brought Else to him. She
did not say much; but this she did say,--

"You have now a house: one must take that into consideration."

And Joergen also took much into consideration. In the ocean there are
many heavy seas--the human heart has still heavier ones. There passed
many thoughts, strong and weak mingled together, through Joergen's head
and heart, and he asked Else,--

"If Morten had a house as well as I, which of us two would you rather
take?"

"But Morten has no house, and has no chance of getting one."

"But we think it is very likely he will have one."

"Oh! then I would take Morten, of course; but one can't live upon
love."

And Joergen reflected for the whole night over what had passed. There
was something in him he could not himself account for; but he had one
idea--it overpowered his love for Else, and it led him to Morten. What
he said and did there had been well considered by him--he made his
house over to Morten on the lowest possible terms, saying that he
would himself prefer to go into service. And Else kissed him in her
gratitude when she heard it, for she certainly loved Morten best.

At an early hour in the morning Joergen was to take his departure. The
evening before, though it was already late, he fancied he would like
to visit Morten once more, so he went; and amongst the sand-hills he
met the old fisherman, who did not seem to think of his going away,
and who jested about all the girls being so much in love with Morten.
Joergen cut him short, bade him farewell, and proceeded to the house
where Morten lived. When he reached it he heard loud talking within:
Morten was not alone. Joergen was somewhat capricious. Of all persons
he would least wish to find Else there; and, on second thoughts, he
would rather not give Morten an opportunity of renewing his thanks, so
he turned back again.

Early next morning, before the dawn of day, he tied up his bundle,
took his provision box, and went down from the sand-hills to the
sea-beach. It was easier to walk there than on the heavy sandy road;
besides, it was shorter, for he was first going to Fjaltring, near
Vosbjerg, where the eel-man lived, to whom he had promised a visit.

The sea was smooth and beautifully blue--shells of different sorts lay
around. These were the playthings of his