Part 29 (1/2)

”No, no!” cried Helga, who was doubtful how far the maternal authority might extend amongst the English.

”Then we will both of us forgive him this time?” said Mrs. Hardy.

”Yes, I will, Mrs. Hardy,” said Helga, with an earnestness that left no doubt.

”Now then,” said John, ”as I have been condemned and pardoned, let us have breakfast. I was afraid to go to sleep last night, so went fis.h.i.+ng, to catch some fish for breakfast, and here they are.”

”Why, John, were you afraid to go to sleep?” asked Helga, anxiously.

”Because I knew I should dream of you, Helga,” replied Hardy, ”and have not been in bed all night because of that, and because I went fis.h.i.+ng. Moreover, I suspect you of being a 'Mare,' your eyebrows grow together, and I dread the nightmare.”

”My eyebrows do not grow together,” replied Helga, firmly.

”Let me see,” said John; and he took her face between his hands, and added, ”I am not certain, I must look closer;” and kissed her between the eyes.

”It is time for me to interfere,” said John's mother; and she rang a small handbell in the deckhouse.

”Oh, don't, mother!” said John, with a piteous look.

”Oh, Mrs. Hardy! what are you going to do with Him?” asked Helga, with concern.

”First, he shall have no more breakfast, because he has finished,”

said Mrs. Hardy; ”and then I will condemn him to----”

”No, no!” said Helga, beseechingly.

”I must,” said Mrs. Hardy.

The great black-bearded steward came in to take away the breakfast things.

”Do go away; you are not wanted!” said Helga; and she pushed him out, and shut the door of the deck-house.

Mrs. Hardy got up and embraced her affectionately.

”Why,” said she, ”I was only going to condemn him to love you always, all his life, and with all his heart. You must not mind if he teases a little, all men do; but he is as good as gold, and as true as yourself.”

”Now, Helga,” said John, ”let the steward clear away, and have a walk on deck. I will not tease you any more until next time. But where is that boy Axel?”

Axel had become a favourite with the men, for English sailors like a quick lad. He had an undying interest in knots and the contrivances on board the yacht, and the men liked the little Dane, as they called him. John Hardy sent a man to find him.

”He is down in the fok'sle, sir, learning knots off the men,” said the man, touching his cap.

”Axel is trying to learn our English way of tieing knots, Helga,” said Hardy, ”and my men have taken him in charge. They will be kind to him, and would teach a lad no harm.”

”When you were with us last year, you were so thoughtful of every one, and you were so kind; but when you tease me, I think you love me less,” said Helga, slowly; ”and I see you are thoughtful still. But why do you tease me?”

”Because I love you so; I do not know how to behave wisely,” replied John. ”You called me a cool and calculating Englishman; but if you knew how it hurt me when you said so, you would not have said what you did.”

Mrs. Hardy had come on deck, and Helga went to her. Mrs. Hardy saw she was agitated, and was alarmed, but waited for Helga to speak.

”I know now he loved me from the first time we went to Rosendal,” said Helga, ”and I have been so bad to him. What I have said and did was hard.”