my love." And Erica saw, by his look of horror at
the idea of her going, that he felt anything but secure from the
pirates. He took her hand, and kissed it again and again, as he said
that there was plenty for that little hand to do at home, instead of
pulling the oar in the hot sun. "I shall think of you all while I am
fishing," he went on. "I shall fancy you making ready for the seater.
[Note 1.] As you go towards Sulitelma any day now, you may hear the
voices of a thousand waterfalls, calling upon the herdmen and maidens to
come to the fresh pastures. How happy we shall be, Erica, when we once
get to the seater!"

Erica sighed, and pressed her lover's hand as he held hers.

"While I am fishing," he went on, "I shall fancy our young mistresses,
and Stiorna and you, washing all your bowls in juniper-water, ready for
your dairy. I know how the young ladies will contrive that all of my
carving shall come under your hand. And I shall be back with my fish
before you are gone, that I may walk beside your cart. I know just how
far you will ride. When we get the first sight of the grass waving, as
the wind sweeps over it on the mountain side, you will spring from the
cart, and walk with me all the rest of the way."

"All this would be well," said Erica, "if it were not for--"

"For what, love? For Nipen, again! If you will not mind what I say
about your silly fears, you shall hear from the pastor how wicked they
are. I see him yonder, in the garden. I will call him--"

"No, no! I know all he has to say," declared Erica.

But Rolf carried the case before M. Kollsen: and M. Kollsen, glad of
every opportunity of discoursing on this subject, came and took Rolfs
seat, and said all he could think of in contempt of the spirits of the
region, till Erica's blood ran cold to hear him. It was not kind of
Rolf to expose her to this: but Rolf had no fears himself, and was not
aware how much she suffered under what the clergyman said. The lover
stood by watching, and was so charmed with her gentle and submissive
countenance and manner, while she could not own herself convinced, that
he almost admired her superstition, and forgave her doubts of his being
able to take care of himself, while his deadly enemy on earth might
possibly be assisted by the offended powers of the air.

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Note 1. Each Norway farm which is situated within a certain dista