Part 27 (2/2)

”She will not go if I ask her, mother,” said John; ”but if you do she may.”

”Telegraph to them to have steam up, John,” said his mother, ”and I will drive to the parsonage.”

His mother left, and, to John's astonishment, Helga returned with her, ready to go anywhere.

”The Pastor insisted on her going,” said Mrs. Hardy, ”and I promised to bring back his youngest son, who is at school at Copenhagen. The Pastor is a sensible man. He said to his daughter, 'Why should you not enjoy the kindness your future husband can show you?' and there was an end to her objections.”

They hurried to the station, and got on board the Rosendal after a short railway journey.

”You had better go below and get your dress changed, Helga; my mother will show you where your berth is. What you want is a warm woollen dress that a little sea water will not hurt. There are several belonging to my mother on board.”

When Helga came up, they were at sea. The pilot was steering.

Mrs. Hardy was sitting on a wicker chair on deck. Some one in a sailor's dress placed a chair for her.

”When you are tired of sitting here,” said Hardy, for he it was, ”you can go into the deck-house and lie down. We shall have dinner at six.

There is Sams, and before you rise to-morrow we shall be at Copenhagen, I shall have to be up all night.”

The yacht delighted Helga. The dinner was served so well that it surprised her; and when they came on deck, it was a pleasure to see the distant lights in the fine summer's night, and to feel the yacht rus.h.i.+ng through the smooth sea.

”I do like this. Hardy,” she said. ”Must I go to my berth? I would rather be on deck and hear your voice now and then.”

”No,” said Hardy; ”because you must not draw off my attention. We have to look after the pilot, and I am the only man on board that knows Danish;” and Helga went at once.

Mrs. Hardy, who had heard what had pa.s.sed, was pleased to see her rapid compliance with what was necessary.

When Helga came on deck the next day, they were at anchor near the Custom House at Copenhagen. Mrs. Hardy was already up, and they had breakfast.

Hardy gave some necessary orders as to coaling, and they went ash.o.r.e and saw the Museum of Northern Antiquities, Thorwaldsen's Museum, and much else, and lunched at the Hotel d'Angleterre in the King's New Market, or Kongens Nytorv.

”Now, Helga, what is there more to see?” asked Hardy.

”There is the picture gallery in Christiansborg Slot, but there are so many steps up to it that it will fatigue Mrs. Hardy; but, if we might, I should like to call and see Axel, and arrange about his coming back with us,” said Helga. ”To-morrow you could see Rosenborg, which is certain to interest you; we have to give notice to-day to the curator.”

”I shall be henpecked, mother,” said Hardy. ”She orders everything already.”

”No, you will not,” said Helga, who understood him, although he had spoken in English. ”I shall give my life to you, and my will too.”

There was no mistaking the look in those blue eyes. ”You might be interested,” she added, ”in going to the Royal Theatre. The play to-night is one of Holberg's comedies, 'Den pantsatte Bondedreng,'

that is, 'The Farmer's Boy left in Pledge.' It is a good play and popular. I can tell the story of the play to Mrs. Hardy before she goes, as you. Hardy, already know it.”

”I give myself entirely in your hands, Helga. You shall be obeyed before marriage, and obey me after,” said Hardy, laughing.

”It is not a question of obedience,” replied Helga. ”I am yours altogether when I am your wife.”

As she had said this in Danish, Hardy explained to his mother.

Mrs. Hardy said, ”She is a jewel, John, and without price;” and rose from her seat and kissed her on the parting of her hair.

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