Part 18 (1/2)
”O, I can borrow some milk of our neighbors, and we can repay them in the fall, after Ragnar returns, for then we shall have another cow.”
”That will never do, my child. We must discover some other method.”
”I had an idea, also,” said Carl, advancing from a corner into which he had withdrawn when Magde entered.
”What is it, my good boy?” inquired his father.
”I was thinking about that which Ragnar has so often told us, about the people in England who procured money by p.a.w.ning themselves--what was it he called it?” continued he, scratching his head to arouse his memory.
”Life Insurance, was it not?” replied his father.
”That's it, father, and Ragnar also told me that even here in Sweden, gold might be obtained from England on such terms. Now, if we could find some one who understood this matter, and would undertake to draw up the proper writings, I would willingly give my life as security, and then you see, father, I should be just the same as so much ready money.”
”My good son, your words are well intended; but it is not as you think in relation to Life Insurance.”
”O, that is too bad, father, or you might have received a large sum of money when I am dead.”
”My life, I hope, will be finished before yours,” said his father, ”I am old, and you are young.”
”True, I am young in years; but lately, yes, last Friday, while I pa.s.sed through the church yard, I heard a voice, and that voice I believed.”
”What ideas you invent!” exclaimed Magde, frightened for the first time, as she observed Carl's hollow cheeks and sunken eye, ”but what did the voice say?”
”'Carl, Carl, Carl,' it said, calling my name three times, 'you will not live long.'”
”Your brain is weak, my boy, because you have worked too hard. When your body has received rest, and rest it must have, you will feel much better. But tell me, Carl, what you thought when you imagined you heard the voice.”
”I did not think, but merely replied, 'indeed.'”
”But, Carl, with this superst.i.tion you will make your father sorrowful.”
”Sorrowful? I do not think so. Should he be sorrowful because our Saviour in his grace is willing to call me to his fold? Instead of being sorrowful, the day of my departure should be a festive day. How many troubles do we escape after we are placed in the earth!”
”But if you think in that manner, you will become mournful yourself, you will not be able to laugh any more.”
”Not laugh,” replied Carl, and without an effort he commenced laughing merrily. His face glowed with mirthfulness, and his melancholy humor seemed to have vanished as if by magic. It appeared so strange to him that Magde should desire him to laugh, that he forgot all about the life insurance or the warning voice, and once thus engaged, he took no farther part in the consultation.
An hour elapsed, and Magde, after having emptied the basket of its contents, experienced a return from the hope that had sustained her during the interview, to her former despondency, as the moment of parting approached. Carl proceeded in advance to prepare the boat.
”In four days, at the furtherest, I shall return,” said Magde, pausing upon the threshold of her father's cell, ”and then, as I hope for Ragnar's continued love, I shall bring you good tidings.”
”Thank you, my dear Magde. Ragnar shall learn all that you have done for his old father. Kiss Nanna, poor little innocent, for me, and tell her that she must not come here, for it will only make her heart more heavy and sad.”
A moment later, and the creaking doors resounded throughout the ruins, the prisoner was again alone.
But once more did he hear a dear voice, for when Magde arrived at the outside, she remembered with a feeling of uneasiness, that her youngest child had not been blessed by its grandfather. In the haste of departure, the little one had been entirely forgotten; but as it was impossible for her to leave the prison with the dear child unblessed, she stood beneath the grated window, and exclaimed:
”Father, dear father, please look through the window, and I will hold up the baby for you, that you may give it your blessing.”