nows in its own clearness. And
when you do get a full look into her eyes, how like the summer sky they
are--as deep as the heavens in a midsummer noon! Did you say she looks
frightened, sir?"

"Yes. When does she not? Some ghost from the grave has scared her, I
suppose; or some spirit that has no grave to lie still in, perhaps. It
is a great fault in her that she has so little faith. I never met with
such a case. I hardly know how to conduct it. I must begin with the
people about her,--abolish their superstitions,--and then there may be a
chance for her. Meanwhile I have but a poor account to give to the
bishop [Note 2] of the religion of the district."

"Did you say, sir, that Erica wants faith? It seems to me that I never
knew any one who had so much."

"You think so because there is no idea in this region of what faith is.
A prodigious work indeed my bishop has given me to do. He himself
cannot be aware what it is, till I send him my report. One might
suppose that Christianity had never been heard of here, by the absurd
credulity one meets with in the best houses,--the multitude of good and
evil spirits one hears of at every turn. I will blow them all to the
winds presently. I will root out every superstition in a circle of
twenty miles."

"You will, sir?"

"I will. Such is my duty as a Christian pastor."

"Do you suppose you can, sir?"

"Certainly. No doubt of that. What sort of a pastor must he be who
cannot vindicate his own religion?"

"These beliefs, sir, were among us long before you were born; and I
fancy they will last till some time after you are dead. And, what is
more, I should not wonder if your bishop was to tell you the same thing
when you send him your report of us."

"I thought you had had more faith, Peder. I thought you had been a
better Christian."

"However that may be," said Peder, "I have some knowledge of the people
about us, having lived nearly fourscore years in the parish; and
perhaps, sir, as you are young, and from a distance, you would allow me
to say a word. May I?"

"O, certainly."

But while M. Kollsen gave this permission, he took his pipe from his
mouth, and beat time with it upon his knee, and with his foot upon the
ground, to carry off his impatience at being instructed.

"My advice would be, sir, with all respect to you," said Peder, "that
you should lead the people into everything that you think true and good,
and pass over quietly whatever