e background. I stood a while and gazed at these eatables; but as
I had no money wherewith to buy, I turned quickly away and continued my
tramp. I went very slowly, passed by Majorstuen, went on, always on--it
seemed to me for hours,--and came at length at Bogstad's wood.

I turned off the road here, and sat down to rest. Then I began to look
about for a place to suit me, to gather together heather and juniper
leaves, and make up a bed on a little declivity where it was a bit dry.
I opened the parcel and took out the blanket; I was tired and exhausted
with the long walk, and lay down at once. I turned and twisted many
times before I could get settled. My ear pained me a little--it was
slightly swollen from the whip-lash--and I could not lie on it. I
pulled off my shoes and put them under my head, with the paper from
Semb on top.

And the great spirit of darkness spread a shroud over me ... everything
was silent--everything. But up in the heights soughed the everlasting
song, the voice of the air, the distant, toneless humming which is
never silent. I listened so long to this ceaseless faint murmur that it
began to bewilder me; it was surely a symphony from the rolling spheres
above. Stars that intone a song....

"I am damned if it is, though," I exclaimed; and I laughed aloud to
collect my wits. "They're night-owls hooting in Canaan!"

I rose again, pulled on my shoes, and wandered about in the gloom, only
to lay down once more. I fought and wrestled with anger and fear until
nearly dawn, then fell asleep at last.

* * * * *

It was broad daylight when I opened my eyes, and I had a feeling that
it was going on towards noon.

I pulled on my shoes, packed up the blanket again, and set out for
town. There was no sun to be seen today either; I shivered like a dog,
my feet were benumbed, and water commenced to run from my eyes, as if
they could not bear the daylight.

It was three o'clock. Hunger began to assail me downright in earnest. I
was faint, and now and again I had to retch furtively. I swung round by
the Dampkoekken, [Footnote: Steam cooking-kitchen and famous cheap
eating-house] read the bill of fare, and shrugged my shoulders in a way
to attract attention, as if corned beef or salt port was not meet food
for me. After that I went towards the railway station.

A singular sense of confusion suddenly darted through my head. I
stumbled on, determined not to heed it; but I g