fresh gathered, and a score of plovers' eggs.--Next appeared a pony,
coming westward over the pasture, laden with panniers containing a
tender kid, a packet of spices, a jar of preserved cherries, and a few
of the present season, early ripe; and a stone bottle of ant-vinegar
[Note 1]. Frolich's spirits rose higher and higher, as more people came
from below, sent by Rolf on his way down. A deputation of Lapps came
from the tents, bringing reindeer venison, and half of a fine Gammel
cheese. Before Erica had had time to pour out a glass of corn-brandy
for each of this dwarfish party, in token of thanks, and because it is
considered unlucky to send away Lapps without a a treat, other mountain
dwellers came with offerings of tydder, roer, ryper, and jerper [Note
2]: so that the dresser was loaded with game enough to feed half a
hundred hungry men.

Some of these willing neighbours stayed to help. One went to pick more
cloud-berries on the edge of the nearest bog. Another rode off, on the
pony, to beg a supply of sugar from a house where it was known to
abound. Two or three more cleared a space for a fire behind a thicket,
and prepared to broil the venison and stew the kid, while others sat
down to pluck the game. The Lapps, as being dirty and despised, were
got rid of as soon as possible.

Erica and Frolich returned to their breakfast-table, to make the new
arrangements now necessary, and place the fruits and spices. Erica
closely examined the piece of Gammel cheese brought by the Lapps, and
then, with glowing cheeks, called Frolich to her.

"What now?" said Frolich. "Have you found a way of telling fortunes
with the hard cheese, as some pretend to do with the soft curds?"

"Look here," said Erica. "What stamp is this? The cheese has been
scraped,--almost pared, you see: but they have left one little corner.
And whose stamp is there?"

"Ours," said Frolich, coolly. "This is the cheese you laid out on the
ridge last night."

"I believe it. I see it," exclaimed Erica.

"Now, dear Erica, do not let us have the old story of your being
frightened about what the demon will say and do. Nobody but you will be
surprised that the Lapps help themselves with good things that lie
strewing the ground. You know I gave you a hint, just twelve hours
since, of what would become of this same cheese."

"You did," admitted Erica. To Frolich's delight and surprise, she
appeared too busy,--or was rather, perhaps, too happ