g in the middle of a large heap of turf. The priestess at Delphi
could not have looked more agitated! Her close cap she had torn from her
head; her long, gray hair floated over her shoulders; and with her feet
she stamped upon the turf, like a willful child, until the pieces flew
in various directions. When she perceived Otto she became calm in a
moment, but soon she pressed her thin hands before her face and sobbed
aloud. To learn from her what was the matter was not to be thought of.

"O, she is only quarrelsome!" said the girl, to whom Otto had turned for
an explanation. "Aunt is angry because she was not invited to sail with
the company. She always does so,--she can be quite wicked! Just lately,
when she should have helped me to wring out the sheets, she always
twisted them the same way that I did, so that we could never get done,
and my hands hurt me very much!"

Otto walked down to the bay. The sail was unfurled, the secretary
brought out his musical-box, and, accompanied by its tones, they glided
in the burning sunshine over the water.

On the other side tea was to be drunk, and then Maren was to sing. Her
mother asked her to sing the song with the strong tones, so that Otto
might hear what a voice she had.

She sang "Dannevang." Her voice had uncommon power, but no style, no
grace.

"Such a voice, I fancy, you have not heard in the theatre at
Copenhagen?" said the secretary, with dogmatical gravity.

"You might wish yourself such a chest!" said the lieutenant.

The secretary should now sing; but he had a little cold, which he had
always.

"You must sing to the musical-box!" said the lady, and her wish was
fulfilled. If Maren had only commenced, one might have believed it a
trial of skill between Boreas and Zephyr.

They now walked about, drank tea, and after this they were to return
to the house, there to partake of fish and roast meat, a piece of boxed
ham, and other good things.

Otto could by no means be permitted to think of leaving them the
following morning; he must remain a few days, and gather strength, so
that in Copenhagen he might apply himself well to work. But only one
day would he enjoy all the good things which they heaped upon him. He
yearned for other people, for a more intellectual circle. Two
years before he had agreed splendidly with them all, had found them
interesting and intellectual; now he felt that Lemvig was a little town,
and that the people were good, excellent people.