Part 36 (1/2)

”I have only asked Sir Charles Lynton to dinner, John,” said Mrs. Hardy. ”I was afraid Helga might not be at her ease with a party of perfect strangers the very first day she is here.”

The Pastor was delighted with Hardy Place. ”I see now,” he said, ”how you knew how to deal with Rosendal. Your English landscape gardening is good. I never saw so beautiful a place! The impression on me is that of neatness and taste.”

”Sir Charles Lynton comes to dinner, Herr Pastor,” said Hardy; ”and you shall go and see his place to-morrow--it is only eight English miles from here--and then you must tell me what you would like to see or do during your very short stay in England. I dare say Karl can suggest something. He must go to his work in London to-morrow.”

Mrs. Hardy brought Helga down to the drawing-room before dinner, dressed in her neat Danish dress, and a flower in her hair. She shook hands with Sir Charles Lynton, and thanked him for his coming to her wedding in Denmark.

”Now,” said Mrs. Hardy, ”I shall take her in to dinner and place her at the head of your table, John, as the new mistress of Hardy Place, and a better there cannot be.”

Helga did not clearly understand, and John explained in Danish. ”My mother,” he said, ”wishes to instal you in the position she has herself so long occupied as mistress here.”

”No,” said Helga, decidedly. ”I am her daughter, and will serve her gladly. You surely would not wish me to usurp your mother's place, John, and that to-day?” She had said this in Danish, and she added in English, ”No, Mrs. Hardy; you are housemother here, and I am your daughter and owe you a daughter's duty.”

It had been Mrs. Hardy's dream that when her son brought his wife home, the latter should occupy her seat, and rule as Mrs. Hardy of Hardy Place. As Helga put it, she had got a daughter, and that was all. Helga took Mrs. Hardy's hand and kissed it.

”What a trump she is, John!” exclaimed Sir Charles Lynton. ”She will be the greatest joy and comfort to your mother all her life. I shall advertise in the Danish papers for a wife.”

”Let Helga sit at your side, mother,” said John, ”and the Pastor at your right.”

The Pastor did not appear to think what had pa.s.sed was unusual in his daughter's conduct, but this little episode prepared the way for young Mrs. Hardy of Hardy Place acquiring many friends.

During Pastor Lindal's short stay in England, John Hardy did his best to interest him in English life and manners. The Pastor's wish was to visit an English country church, and to see the whole working of an English parish. His disapproval of the gift, or, worse still, the sale, of a cure of souls was utter and complete.

”Your system of selling or giving livings is bad,” he said. ”No actual sympathy can arise between the clergyman and his paris.h.i.+oners unless they are interested in his selection.”

When he had attended the parish church on the Sunday, Hardy questioned him.