old customs and notions you do not
understand or like. I have so much belief in the religion you are to
teach as to feel sure that whatever will not agree with it will die out
of its way if let alone. But if religion is brought in to hurt the
people's feelings and notions, that religion will be the thing to
suffer."

"I must judge for myself about such matters, of course," said M.
Kollsen. He was meditating a change of place, to escape further
lecturing about his duty, when Peder saved him the trouble of leaving
his comfortable seat by rising and moving away towards the fire.
Peder's pipe was smoked out, and he was going for more tobacco to the
place where tobacco was always to be found--in a little recess above the
fireplace. He felt his way carefully, that he might not interfere with
the dancers, or be jostled by them; but he had not far to go. One
friend begged to be sent for anything he wanted; another, with a quicker
eye, brought him tobacco; and a third led him to his seat again. All
looked with wonder at M. Kollsen, surprised that he, Peder's companion
at that moment, young and blessed with eyesight, could let the blind old
man leave his seat for such a reason. M. Kollsen whiffed away,
however, quite unconscious of what everybody was thinking.

"This waltz," said Peder, when the dancers had begun again, "does not
seem to go easily. There is something amiss. I think it is in the
music that the fault lies. My boy's clarionet goes well enough; no fear
of Oddo's being out. Pray, sir, who plays the violin at this moment?"

"A fellow who looks as if he did not like his business. He is frowning
with his red brows as if he would frown out the lights."

"His red brows! O, then it is Hund. I was thinking it would be hard
upon him, poor fellow, if he had to play to-night; yet, not so hard as
if he had to dance. It is weary work dancing with the heels when the
heart is too heavy to move. You may have heard, sir, for everyone knows
it, that Hund wanted to have young Rolf's place, and, some say, Erica
herself. Is she dancing, sir, if I may ask?"

"Yes, with Rolf. What sort of a man is Rolf--with regard to these
superstitions, I mean? Is he as foolish as Erica--always frightened
about something?"

"No, indeed. It is to be wished that Rolf was not so light as he is--so
inconsiderate about these matters. Rolf has his troubles and his
faults; but they are not of that kind."

"Enough," said M. Kollse