nd certain! I know it from the trumpeter's Karen, and from
the beggar-king's [Author's Note: Overseer of the poor.] wife: neither
of them go about with lies."

"Ih, my Jesus!" exclaimed the other, and let her wooden beater fall, "is
Johanne Marie to go in the pillory, the handsome girl? she that looked
so clever and dressed herself so well?"

"Yes, it is a misfortune!" said the first; "a great misfortune it must
be! No, let every one keep his own! say I every day to my children.
After the sweet claw comes the bitter smart. One had much better work
till the blood starts from the finger-ends."

"Ih, see though!" said the other; "there goes the old fellow, Johanne
Marie's father. He is an honest man; he was so pleased with his
daughter, and to-morrow he must himself bind her to the pillory! But can
she really have stolen?"

"She has herself confessed," returned she; "and the Colonel is severe. I
fancy the Gevaldiger is going there."

"The Colonel should put the bridle on his own son. He is a bad fellow!
Not long ago, when I was washing yarn there, and was merry, as I always
am, he called me 'wench.' If he had said 'woman,' I should not have
troubled myself about it, for it has another meaning; but 'wench,' that
is rude! Ei, there sails the whole affair!" screamed she suddenly, as
the sheet which she had wound round the washing-stool got loose and
floated down the stream: she ran after it, and the conversation was
broken off.

The old man whom they had seen and compassionated, went into a great
house close by, where the Colonel lived. His eyes were cast upon the
ground; a deep, silent suffering lay in his wrinkled face; he gently
pulled at the bell, and bowed himself deeply before the black-appareled
lady who opened to him the door.

We know her--it was the old Rosalie, then twenty years younger than when
we saw her upon the western coast of Jutland.

"Good old man!" said she, and laid her hand kindly on his shoulder.
"Colonel Thostrup is severe, but he is not, however, inhuman; and that
he would be if he let you tomorrow do your office. The Colonel has said
that the Gevaldiger should stay at home."

"No!" said the old man, "our Lord will give me strength. God be thanked
that Johanne Marie's mother has closed her eyes: she will not see the
misery! We are not guilty of it!"

"Honest man!" said Rosalie. "Johanne was always so good and clever;
and now"--she shook her head--"I would have sworn for her, but she has