Part 157 (1/2)

”Ellen's rather reserved, but it's only her manner; she's very fond of you,” said Pelle warmly. ”Any one who takes the children on his knee wins Ellen's heart.”

”Do you really think so? I've always despised woman because she lacks personality--until I got to know your wife. She's an exceptional wife you've got, Pelle; hers is a strong nature, so strong that she makes me uncertain. Couldn't you get her to leave off calling me Mr. Brun?”

”I'll tell her,” said Pelle, laughing; ”but I'm not sure it'll be of any use.”

”This _Mr. Brun_ is beginning to be an intolerable person, let me tell you; and in your house I should like to get away from him. Just imagine what it means to be burdened all your life with a gentleman like that, who doesn't stand in close relations.h.i.+p to anybody at all. Others are called 'Father,' 'Grandfather'--something or other human; but all conditions of life dispose of me with a 'Mr. Brun'! 'Thank you, Mr.

Brun!' 'Many thanks, Mr. Brun!'” The old man had worked himself up, and made the name a caricature.

”These are bad roads out here,” he said suddenly, stopping to take breath. ”It's incomprehensible that these fields should be allowed to lie here just outside the town--that speculation hasn't got hold of them.”

”I suppose it's because of the boggy ground down there,” said Pelle.

”They've begun to fill it in, however, at the north end, I see.”

Brun peered in that direction with some interest, but gave it up, shaking his head.

”No, I can't see so far without gla.s.ses; that's another of the blessings bestowed by books. Yes, it is! Old people in the country only make use of spectacles when they want to look at a book, but I have to resort to them when I want to find my way about the world: that makes a great difference. It's the fault of the streets and those stupid books that I'm shortsighted; you don't get any outlook if you don't live in the country. The town shuts up all your senses, and the books take you away from life; so I'm thinking of moving out too.”

”Is that wise now just before the winter? It wouldn't do for you to go in and out in all kinds of weather.”

”Then I'll give up the library,” answered Brun. ”I shan't miss it much; I've spent enough of my life there. Fancy, Pelle! it occurred to me last night that I'd helped to catalogue most of the literature of the world, but haven't even seen a baby dressed! What right have people like me to have an opinion?”

”I can't understand that,” said Pelle. ”Books have given me so much help.”

”Yes, because you had the real thing. If I were young, I would go out and set to work with my hands. I've missed more through never having worked with my body till I was hot and tired, than you have through not knowing the great cla.s.sic writers. I'm discovering my own poverty, Pelle; and I would willingly exchange everything for a place as grandfather by a cozy fireside.”

The children came running across the field. ”Have you got anything for us to-day?” they cried from a long distance.

”Yes, but not until we get into the warmth. I daren't unb.u.t.ton my coat out here because of my cough.”

”Well, but you walk so slowly,” said Boy Comfort. ”Is it because you're so old?”

”Yes, that's it,” answered the old man, laughing. ”You must exercise a little patience.”

Patience, however, was a thing of which the children possessed little, and they seized hold of his coat and pulled him along. He was quite out of breath when they reached the house.

Ellen looked severely at the children, but said nothing. She helped Brun off with his coat and neckerchief, and after seeing him comfortably seated in the sitting-room, went out into the kitchen. Pelle guessed there was something she wanted to say to him, and followed her.

”Pelle,” she said gravely, ”the children are much too free with Mr.

Brun. I can't think how you can let them do it.”

”Well, but he likes it, Ellen, or of course I should stop them. It's just what he likes. And do you know what I think he would like still better? If you would ask him to live with us.”

”That I'll never do!” declared Ellen decidedly. ”It would look so extraordinary of me.”

”But if he wants a home, and likes us? He's got no friends but us.”

No--no, Ellen could not understand that all the same, with the little they had to offer. And Brun, who could afford to pay for all the comforts that could be had for money! ”If he came, I should have to have new table-linen at any rate, and good carpets on the floors, and lots of other things.”

”You can have them too,” said Pelle. ”Of course we'll have everything as nice as we can, though Brun's quite as easily pleased as we are.”