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UndertheWillowTree柳树下的梦ThecountryaroundthetownofKjogeisverybare.Thetownitselfliesbytheseashorewhichisalwaysbeautifulalthoughitmightbemorebeautifulthanitisbecauseallaroundareflatfieldsandaforestalongwayoff.Butonealwaysfindssomethingbeautifulinthespotthatisone,sownhomesomethingforwhichonelongsevenwhenoneisinthemostwonderfulspotintheworld.AndwemustadmitthattheouteredgeofKjogewheresmallhumblegardenslinethelittlestreamthatflowsintotheseacouldbeveryprettyinthesummertime.ThiswastheopinionofthetwosmallchildrenKnudandJohannewhowereplayingtherecrawlingunderthegooseberrybushestoreacheachother.Inoneofthegardenstherestoodaneldertreeintheotheranoldwillowandunderthelatterthechildrenwereespeciallyfondofplaying.AlthoughthetreestoodclosebesidethestreamandtheymighteasilyhavefallenintothewatertheywereallowedtoplaytherefortheeyeofGodwatchesoverlittleones.Otherwisetheywouldbeverybadlyoffindeed.Besidesthesetwowerecarefulaboutthewater;infacttheboywassoafraidofitthatinthesummerhecouldnotbeluredintotheseawheretheotherchildrenwerefondofsplashingabout.Asaresulthehadtobeartheteasingoftheothersasbesthecould.ButonceJohannethelittlegirldreamedshewasoutinaboatandKnudwadedouttojoinherwiththewaterrisinguntilitclosedoverhishead.AndfromthemomentlittleKnudheardofthisdreamhecouldnolongerbeartobecalledacoward.HemightreallygointothewaternowhesaidsinceJohannehaddreamedit.Henevercarriedthatideaintopracticebutforallthatthedreamremainedhisgreatpride.TheirpoorparentsoftencametogetherwhileKnudandJohanneplayedinthegardensoronthehighroadwherealongrowofwillowshadbeenplantedalongtheditch.Thesetreeswiththeirpolledtopscertainlydidnotlookverybeautifulbuttheywerethereforuseratherthanforornament.Theoldwillowtreeinthegardenwasmuchlovelierwhichwaswhythechildrentookmostdelightinsittingunderit.InKjogeitselfwasagreatmarketplaceandatfairtimethisplazawasgaywithwholestreetsoftentsfilledwithsilkribbonsbootsandeverythingapersonmightdesire.Thereweregreatcrowdsthenandgenerallytheweatherwasrainy.Onecouldeasilysmelltheodorofpeasants,clothesbutthiscouldnotdestroythefragrancethatstreamedfromaboothfullofhoneycakes.AndbestofallthemanwhokeptthisparticularboothcameeveryyearduringfairtimetolodgeinthehouseoflittleKnud,sparents.ConsequentlyeverynowandthentherewasapresentofabitofhoneycakeandofcourseJohannealwaysreceivedhershare.Butthebestthingofallwasthatthisgingerbreaddealerknewallsortsofcharmingstoriesandcouldeventelltalesabouthisowngingerbreadcakes.Oneeveninghetoldastoryaboutthemwhichmadesuchadeepimpressiononthetwochildrenthattheyneverforgotit.Forthatreasonperhapsweshouldhearittooespeciallysinceitisnotverylong.Nowitwasevening.Hewastrampingalongthepublichighway.Thefrosthadsettleddownandthecountryhadbecomeflatterwithfieldsandmeadowsonallsides.Andneartheroadtheregrewagreatwillowtree!ThewholeoutlookremindedKnudstronglyofhome;itlookedsoDanishandwithadeepsighhesatdownunderthetree.Hewasverytiredhisheadbegantonodandhiseyesclosedinslumberbutstillheseemedtoseethetreestretchingitsarmsabovehimandinhiswanderingfancythetreeseemedtobeamightyoldman-theWillowFatherhimself-carryinghistiredsoninhisarmsbacktohisDanishhometothebarebleakshoreofKjogeandthegardenofhischildhood.YeshedreamedthatthiswasthewillowtreeofKjogethathadtraveledoutintotheworldinsearchofhimandatlasthadfoundhimandhadcarriedhimbackintothelittlegardenbesidethestream.AndtherestoodJohanneinallhersplendorwiththegoldencrownonherheadjustashehadseenherlastandshecalledout“Welcome!”tohim.Andbeforehimstoodtworemarkablefigureslookingmuchmorehumanthanherememberedthemfromhischildhood.Theyhadchangedtoobuttheywerestillthetwogingerbreadcakesthemanandthemaidenthatturnedtheirrightsidestowardhimandlookedveryhandsome.〃Wethankyou!”bothsaidtoKnud.Youhaveloosenedourtonguesandtaughtusthatthoughtsshouldbespokenfreelyornothingwillcomeofthem.Andnowsomethinghascomeofthem-wearebetrothed!ThentheywalkedhandinhandthroughthestreetsofKjogeandlookedveryrespectableevenonthewrongside;noonecouldhavefoundanyfaultwiththem.OntheywentstraighttowardKjogeChurchandKnudandJohannefollowedthem-theytoowalkedhandinhand.Thechurchstoodthereasithadalwaysstoodwiththebeautifulgreenivygrowingonitsredwallsandthegreatdoorofthechurchswungopenandtheorganpealedandthegingerbreadcouplewalkeduptheaisle.〃0urmasterfirstsaidthecakepairandmaderoomforJohanneandKnudtokneelbeforethealtar.Andshebentherheadoverhimandthetearsfellfromhereyesbuttheywereicycoldforitwastheicearoundherheartthatwasmeltingsoftenedbyhisstronglove.Thetearsfelluponhisburningcheeksandthenheawoke-andhewassittingundertheoldwillowtreeinaforeignlandonthatcoldwinterevening;anicyhailfromthecouldswasbeatingonhisface.“Thatwasthemostwonderfulhourofmylife!”hecried.Anditwasjustadream.OhGodletmedreamagain!Thenheclosedhiseyesoncemoreanddreamedagain.Towardmorningtherewasagreatsnowstormandthewindblewitindriftsoverhimandwhenthevillagerscameforthtogotochurchtheyfoundajourneymansittingbytheroadside.Hewasdead-frozentodeathbeneaththewillowtree!〃0ntheshopcounterz,hesaid“thereoncelaytwogingerbreadcakes.Onewasintheshapeofamanwithahatontheotherofamaidenwithnobonnetbutwithablotofyellowontopofherhead.Boththeirfaceswereontheuppersideforthatwasthesidethatwassupposedtobelookedatandnottheother.Indeedmostpeoplehaveonesidefromwhichtheyshouldbeviewed.Onhisleftsidethemanworeabitteralmondforaheart;butthemaidenontheotherhandwashoneycakeallthrough.Theywereplacedonthecounterassamplessotheyremainedthereforalongtimeuntilatlasttheyfellinlovewitheachother.Butneithertoldtheotherwhichtheyshouldhavedoneiftheyhadexpectedanythingtocomeofit.〃HeisamansohemustspeakfirstJthoughtthemaiden.Butshewasquitecontentedforsheknewinherheartthatherlovewasreturned.Histhoughtswerefarmoreextravagantwhichisjustlikeaman.Hedreamedthathewasastreeturchinandthathehadfourpenniesallhisownandthatheboughtthemaidenandateherup.“Sotheylayonthecounterfordaysandweeksandgrewdrybutthethoughtsofthemaidenremainedstillgentleandwomanly.〃It,senoughformethatIhavelivedonthesametablewithhimthoughtthemaidenandthenshebrokeintwo.〃Ifonlyshehadknownofmyloveshewouldhaveheldtogetheralittlelonger‘thoughthe.“Sothat,sthestoryandheretheyarebothofthemz,saidthebaker.Theyreremarkablefortheirstrangehistoryandfortheirsilentlovewhichnevercametoanything.Andnowthey,rebothforyou!,zWiththathegaveJohannethemanwhowasstillinonepieceandKnudgotthebrokenmaiden;butthechildrenhadbeensotouchedbythestorythattheycouldn,tbesoboldastoeatupthelovers.NextdaytheytookthemouttotheKjogechurchyardwherewinterandsummerlovelyivycoversthechurchwalllikearichcarpet.Theystoodthetwocakefiguresupamongthegreenleavesinthebrightsunshineandtoldagroupofotherchildrenthestoryofthesilentlovethatwasuseless;thatistosaythelovewasforthestorywascharmingtheyallfound.Butwhentheylookedagainatthegingerbreadcoupletheyfoundthatamischievousbigboyhadeatenupthebrokenmaiden.Thechildrencriedaboutthatandlater-probablysothatthepoorlovermightnotbeleftaloneintheworld-theyatehimuptoo.Buttheyneverforgotthestory.ThetwochildrenwerealwaystogetherbytheeldertreeorunderthewillowandlittleJohannesangthemostbeautifulsongsinavoiceasclearasasilverbell.Knudhadnotanoteofmusicinhimbutatleastheknewthewordsofthesongsandthatwassomething.ButthepeopleofKjogeeventhewifeofthehardwaremerchantstoppedandlistenedwhenJohannesang.Shehasaverysweetvoicethatlittlegirl,zshesaid.Thoseweregloriousdays;butgloriousdaysdonotlastforeverandfinallytheneighborsseparated.JohannesmotherdiedandherfatherplannedtomarryagaininCopenhagenwherehehadbeenpromisedapositionasmessengerajobsupposedtobeveryprofitable.Whiletheneighborspartedwithregretsthechildrenweptbitterlybuttheparentspromisedtowritetoeachotheratleastonceayear.AndKnudwasmadeapprenticetoashoemakerforsuchabigboywastoooldtorunaroundwildanylonger;andfurthermorehewasconfirmed.OhhowhewouldhavelikedtoseelittleJohanneinCopenhagenonthatdayofcelebration!Buthedidn,tgo;andhehadneverbeentherealthoughKjogeisonlyfiveDanishmilesaway.OnacleardayKnudcouldseethedistanttowersofthecityacrossthebayandonthedayofhisconfirmationhecouldevenseethegoldencrossonthetoweroftheChurchofOurLadyglitterinthesun.AhhowoftenhisthoughtsturnedtowardJohanne!AnddidsherememberhimYes!AtChristmastimealettercamefromherfathertoKnudsparentssayingthattheyweredoingverywellinCopenhagenandJohannecouldlookforwardtoabrilliantcareeronthestrengthofherlovelyvoice.ShealreadyhadapositionintheoperahouseandwasalreadyearningalittlemoneyoutofwhichshesentherdearneighborsofKjogeadollarforamerryChristmasEve.Johanneherselfaddedapostscriptaskingthemtodrinktoherhealthandinthesamepostscriptwasalsowritten“FriendlygreetingstoKnud!”Theyallwept;butthiswasallverypleasantfortheyweretearsofjoythattheyshed.Knud,sthoughtshadbeenwithJohanneeverydayandnowheknewthatshealsothoughtofhim.ThenearercametheendofhisapprenticeshipthemoreclearlydidherealizethathewasinlovewithJohanneandthatshemustbehislittlewife.Whenhethoughtofthisasmilebrightenedhisfaceandhedrewthethreadfasterthanbeforeandpressedhisfootagainstthekneestrap.Hedidn,tevenpayanyattentionwhenherantheawldeepintooneofhisfingers.Hewasdeterminedthathewouldnotplaythesilentloverlikethetwogingerbreadcakes.Thestoryhadtaughthimalesson.Nowhewasajourneymanandhisknapsackwaspackedreadyforhistrip.AtlastforthefirsttimeinhislifehewastogotoCopenhagenwhereamasterwasalreadyexpectinghim.HowsurprisedandhappyJohannewouldbetoseehim!Shewasjustseventeennowandhenineteen.HewantedtobuyagoldringforherbeforeheleftKjogebutthendecidedhecouldgetamuchniceroneinCopenhagen.Andsohetookleaveofhisparentsandonarainywindydayinautumnsetforthonfootfromthetownofhisbirth.Thedampleavesweredroppingfromthetreesandhewaswettotheskinwhenhearrivedathisnewmaster,shomeinthebigcityofCopenhagen.ThefollowingSundayhewouldpayavisittoJohannesfather!SoonSundayheputonthenewjourneymansclothesandthenewhatfromKjogethatbecamehimverywellfortillthenhehadonlywornacap.Heeasilyfoundthehousehewasseekingandmountedflightafterflightofstairsuntilhebecamealmostdizzy.Itseemedterribletohimforpeopletolivepiledupontopofeachotherinthisintricatecity.EverythingintheparlorlookedprosperousandJohannesfatherreceivedhiminkindlyfriendship.Knudwasastrangertothenewwifebutshetooshookhandswithhimandgavehimacupofcoffee.“Johannewillbegladtoseeyou〃saidthefather.〃Youvegrownintoanice-lookingyoungman.Yeswaittillyouseeher.ThereisagirlwhorejoicesmyheartandpleaseGodshewillrejoiceitstillmore.Shehasherownroomnowandpaysusrentregularlyforit!〃Thenheknockedquitepolitelyathisdaughter,sdoorasifhewereastrangerandtheywentin.Ohhowprettyitwas!hewascertaintherewasn,tsuchalovelyroominallKjoge;theQueenherselfcouldnotbemorecharminglylodged.Therewerecarpetsandwindowcurtainsthathungquitetothefloorandflowersandpicturesandavelvetchairandevenamirroraslargeasadoorandsocleartherewasadangerofwalkingintoit.AglanceshowedallthistoKnudandyethecouldlookatnothingbutJohanne.Shewasafull-grownmaidennowquitedifferentfromKnud,smemoriesofherandmuchmorebeautiful.Therewasn,tagirlinKjogelikeher.HowgracefulshewasandwithwhatastrangeunsuregazeshelookedatKnud!Butthatwasonlyforamomentandthensherushedtowardhimasifitkisshim.shedidnotactuallydosobutsheverynearlydid.Yesshewasreallyhappytoseeherchildhoodfriendagain!ThereweretearsinJohanne,seyes;shehadsomuchtosayandsomanyquestionstoaskabouteverythingfromKnud,sparentstotheeldertreeandthewillowwhichshecalledElderMotherandWillowFatherjustasiftheyhadbeenhumanbeings;andindeedtheymightbecalledsojustasmuchasthegingerbreadcakes.Shespokeofthemtooandtheirsilentloveandhowtheyhadlainontheshopcounterandbrokenintwo-andatthisshelaughedheartilywhilethebloodrushedtoKnud,scheeksandhisheartbeatfasterandfaster.Noshehadnotgrownhaughtyatall.AndKnudnoticedquitewellthatitwasbecauseofherthatherparentsinvitedhimtospendtheevening.Withherwonhandsshepouredouttheteaandgavehimacup;andafterwardshereadaloudtothemfromabookanditseemedtoKnudthatwhatshereadwasallabouthimselfandhisloveforitmatchedwithhisthoughts.Thenshesangasimplelittlesongbuthersingingmadeitarealstorythatseemedtobetheoutpouringofherveryheart.YesKnudknewshecaredforhim.Hecouldnotkeeptearsofjoyfromrollingdownhischeeksnorcouldhespeakasingleword-heseemedstruckdumb.Butshepressedhishandandmurmured“YouhaveagoodheartKnud.Stayalwaysthewayyouare!〃now!Thatwasamagnificentevening;itwasimpossibletosleepafterwardandaccordinglyKnuddidnotsleep.WhenhehadleftJohanne,sfatherhadsaid“Nowdon,tforgetusaltogether.Dontletthewholewintergobybeforeyoucometousagain!”KnudfeltthatgavehimpermissiontorepeatthecallthefollowingSundayanddeterminedtodoso.Buteveryeveningafterwork-andtheworkinghourslasteduntilcandlelightthere-Knudwentoutintothetown.HereturnedtothestreetinwhichJohannelivedandlookedupatherwindow.Itwasalmostalwayslightedandoneeveninghecouldevenseetheshadowofherfacequiteplainlyonthecurtain.Thatwasaneveninghewouldneverforget.Hismasterswifedidnotlikehis/gallivantingabroadeveryevening,zassheputitandshookherheadruefullyoverhim;butthemasteronlysmiled.,,He,sjustayoungfellow,zhesaid.〃0nSundayweshallseeeachotherKnudthought〃andIshalltellherhowsheisalwaysinmythoughtsandthatshemustbemylittlewife.IknowImonlyapoorjourneymanshoemakerbutIcanbecomeamasterandI*11workandsave-yesIlltellherthat!Nogoodcomesfromasilentlove;Ivelearnedthatmuchfromthegingerbread!SundaycameatlastandKnudsetoutbuttohisgreatdisappointmenttheyhadtotellhimtheywereallinvitedoutthatevening.ButasheleftJohannepressedhishandandsaid“HaveyoueverbeentothetheaterYoumustgotheresometime.IshallbesingingonWednesdayandifyouhavetimethateveningIllsendyouaticket.Myfatherknowswhereyouareliving.,zHowkinditwasofher!AndatnoononWednesdayhereceivedasealedenvelope.TherewerenowordsinsidebuttheticketwasthereandthateveningKnudwenttothetheaterforthefirsttimeinhislife.AndwhatdidheseeHesawJohannelookingmorecharmingandbeautifulthanheevercouldhavebelievedpossible!Tobesureshewasmarriedtoastrangerbutthatwasjustintheplay;itwasonlymake-believeasKnudunderstoodverywell.Ifithadbeentruehethoughtshewouldneverhavehadthehearttosendhimaticketsothathecouldgoandseeit.AndeverybodyshoutedandapplaudedandKnudcriedout“Hurrah!”EventheKingwastheresmilingatJohanneandheseemedtodelightinherloveliness.HowsmallKnudfeltthen!Stillhelovedherdearlyandfeltthatshelovedhimtoo;butheknewitwasuptothemantospeakthefirstwordasthegingerbreadmaideninthestoryhadtaughthim.Indeedtherewasagreatdealoftruthinthatstory.SoassoonasSundaycamehewenttoseeheragainfeelingassolemnasifheweregoingintoachurch.Johannewasathomealone;itcouldnothavehappenedmorefortunately.Imgladyoucame“shesaid.〃IalmostsentFatherafteryoubutIfeltinmyheartthatyouwouldbeherethisevening.IhavetotellyouthatIamleavingforFranceonFriday;ImuststudythereifIamtobecomeagreatartiste!”AtthosewordsitseemedtoKnudasifthewholeroomwerewhirlingroundandroundwithhim.Hefeltasifhisheartwouldbreak;therewerenotearsinhiseyesbutJohannecouldnotfailtoseehowstrickenhewas.“Youhonestfaithfulsoul!”shesaid.Andhertendernessloosenedhistongue.Hetoldherhowmuchhelovedherandbeggedhertobecomehislittlewife.ThenhesawJohanneturnpaleasshedroppedhishandandsaidseriouslyandsadly“DearKnuddontmakeusbothunhappy.IshallalwaysbealovingsistertoyouoneinwhomyoumaytrustbutIshallneverbeanythingmore.〃Gentlysheplacedhersofthandonhishotforehead.〃Godgivesusthestrengthformuch〃shesaid〃ifonlywetrytodoourbest.z,AtthatmomentherstepmotherenteredtheroomandJohannesaid“KnudisquiteheartbrokenbecauseImgoingaway!Comebeaman〃andshelaidherhandonhisshoulder;itseemedasiftheyhadbeentalkingonlyofherjourney.Youreachild“shelaughed“butnowyoumustbegoodandreasonableasyouusedtobeunderthewillowtreewhenwewerebothchildren!”Knudfeltasifthewholeworldwereoutofjointandhisthoughtswerelikealoosethreadflutteringinthewind.Heremainedforteathoughhehardlyknewiftheyhadaskedhimto;andtheywerekindandgentleandJohannepouredouthisteaandsangtohim.Hervoicedidnothaveitsoldtonebutstillitwaswonderfullybeautifulandnearlybrokehisheart.Andthentheyparted.Knudcouldnotbeartoofferhishandbutshetookitandsaid“Surelyyou11shakehandswithyoursisteratpartingoldplaymate!z,Shesmiledthroughthetearsthatwereinherowneyesandrepeatedtheword“brother”.Yesthatwassupposedtobeagreatconsolation!Suchwastheirparting.ShesailedforFranceandKnudwanderedaboutthemuddystreetsofCopenhagen.Hiscomradesintheworkshopaskedwhyhewassogloomyandurgedhimtojointhemandamusehimselfforhewasstillayoungfellow.Sotheytookhimtoadancehall.HesawmanyprettygirlstherebuttherewasnotonetocomparewithJohanne;herewherehehadhopedtoforgethershewasmorevividthaneverbeforetheeyesofhissoul.〃Godgivesusthestrengthformuch“shehadsaid〃ifonlywetrytodoourbest.〃Thenadevotioncametohismindandhefoldedhishandsquietly.TheviolinsplayedandthegirlsdancedgailyandsuddenlyitseemedtohimthatheshouldneverhavebroughtJohanneintoaplacelikethis-forshewastherewithhiminhisheart.Knudranoutandwanderedaimlesslythroughthestreets.Hepassedbythehousewhereshehadlived;itwasdarkthere-everywhereweredarknessandemptinessandloneliness.TheworldwentinitswayandKnudwenthis.Wintersetinandthewatersfrozeover;itwasasifeverythingwerepreparingitselfforburial.Butwhenspringreturnedandthefirststeamerwastostartanintenselongingseizedhimtogoawayfarintotheworldanywhere-butnottooclosetoFrance.SohepackedhisknapsackandwandereddeepintoGermanyfromtowntotownfindingrestandpeacenowhere.ItwasnotuntilhecametothegloriousoldcityofNurembergthathecouldquiethisrestlessspiritandtherehedecidedtostay.Nurembergisastrangeoldcitylookingasifithadbeencutoutofanold-fashionedpicturebook.Thestreetsseemtowanderalongjustastheyplease.Thehousesdidnotliketostandinregularrows.Gableswithlittletowersarabesquesandpillarsleanoutoverthewalksandfromthequeerpeakedroofswater-spoutsshapedlikedragonsorlongslimdogspushoutfaroverthestreets.ThereintheNurembergmarketplacestoodKnudhisknapsackonhisback.Hewasbesideoneoftheoldfountainswheresplendidbronzefiguresscripturalandhistoricalroseupbetweenthegushingjetsofwater.AprettylittleservantgirlwasjustfillingherpailsandshegaveKnudarefreshingdrink;andasherhandwasfullofrosesshegavehimoneofthemtooandheacceptedthatasagoodsign.Fromthechurchnearbycamethestrainsofanorgan;theyrangasfamiliartohimasthetonesoftheorganathomeinKjogechurchandheenteredthegreatcathedral.Thesunlightstreamedinthroughthehighstained-glasswindowsanddownbetweentheloftyslenderpillars.Hisspiritfoundrest.AndKnudfoundagoodmasterinNurembergandhelivedinhishouseandtherelearnedtospeakGerman.TheoldmoataroundthetownofNuremberghasbeenconvertedintolittlekitchengardensbutthehighwallswiththeirheavytowersarestandingyet.Theropemakertwistshiscordsonawoodengalleryalongtheinsideofthetownwallwhereelderbushesgrowoutofthecracksandcleftsspreadingtheirgreenbranchesoverthesmalllowlyhousesbelow.InoneofthesehousesKnudlivedwithhismaster;andoverthelittlegarretwindowwhereheslepttheeldertreewaveditsbranches.Herehelivedforasummerandwinter.ButwhenspringreturnedhecouldbearitnolongerfortheelderwasbloomingandthefragranceofitsblossomscarriedhimbacktohomeandthegardenatKjoge.SoKnudleftthatmasterandfoundanotherfartherintownoverwhosehousenoelderbushblossomed.Hisnewworkshopwasclosetooneoftheoldstonebridgesbyanever-foaminglowwatermill.Thestreamroaredpastithemmedinbythehouseswhosedecayedoldbalconieslookedabouttotoppleintothewater.Noeldergrewhere一therewasnotevenalittlegreenplantinaflowerpot-butjustoppositestoodagrandoldwillowtreethatseemedtoclingfasttothehouseasifitfearedbeingcarriedawaybythestream.ItstretcheditsbranchesoutovertheriverjustasthewillowatKjogespreaditsarmsacrossthestreambythegardensofhome.YesKnudhadgonefromtheElderMothertotheWillowFather.Thistreehadsomethingespeciallyonmoonliteveningsthatwentstraighttohisheartandthatsomethingwasnotofthemoonlightbutoftheoldwillowtreeitself.Hecouldnotremainthere.WhynotAskthewillowtree;asktheblossomingelder!AndsohebadefarewelltohiskindmasterandtoNurembergandtraveledonfurther.TonoonedidhespeakofJohannebuthidhissorrowinhisinnermostheart;andhethoughtofthedeepmeaningoftheoldstoryofthegingerbread.Nowheunderstoodwhythemanhadabitteralmondforaheart-hehimselfhadfeltthebitternessofit.AndJohannewhowasalwayssogentleandsmilingshewasonlylikethehoneycake.ThestrapofKnud,sknapsackseemedsotightacrosshischestthathecouldscarcelybreathebutevenwhenheloosenedithewasnotrelieved.Hesawonlyhalftheworldaroundhim;theotherhalfhecarriedwithinhim.That,showitwas!Notuntilhewasinsightofthehighmountainsdidtheworldappearfreertohim;nowhisthoughtswereturnedoutwardagainandthetearscameintohiseyes.TheAlpsseemedtohimlikethefoldedwingsoftheearth;whatiftheyweretounfoldthemselvesanddisplaytheirvariedpicturesofblackwoodsfoamingwaterscloudsandgreatmassesofsnow!OnthelastdayhethoughttheworldwillliftupitsmightywingsandmountupwardtoGodtoburstlikeasoapbubblebeforetheglanceoftheHighest.〃Ah〃hesighed“thatthatlastdaywereherenow!z,Silentlyhewanderedthroughacountrythatseemedtohimlikeanorchardcoveredwithsoftturf.Fromthewoodenbalconiesofthehousesgirlsbusywiththeirlacemakingnoddeddownathim.Thesummitsofthemountainsglowedintheredeveningsun;andwhenhesawthebluelakesgleamingthroughthedarktreeshethoughtoftheseacoastnearKjogeandtherewasasadnessinhisheart-butitwaspainnolonger.TherewheretheRhinerollsonwardlikeagreatwaveandthenburstsintosnow-whitegleamingcloudlikemassesasifcloudswerebeingcreatedtherewiththerainbowflutteringlikealoosebandabovethem-itwastherethathethoughtofthemillatKjogewithitsrushingfoamingstream.HewouldhavebeengladtohaveremainedinthequietRhenishtownbutherealsothereweretoomanyeldertreesandtoomanywillowssohetraveledonoverthemightytoweringmountainsthroughshatteredwallsofrockandonroadsthatclungtothemountainsideslikethenestsofswallows.ThewatersfoamedinthedepthsthecloudsthemselveswerebelowhimandhestrodeoninthewarmsummersunovershinythistlesAlpinerosesandsnow.ThushesaidfarewelltothelandsoftheNorthandjourneyedonundertheshadeofbloomingchestnuttreesandthroughvineyardsandfieldsofmaize.Nowthemountainswereawallbetweenhimandallhismemories;thatwashowhewishedittobe.AtlasthereachedthatgreatgloriouscitycalledMilanandherehefoundaGermanmasterwhogavehimwork.Themasteranhiswifeinwhoseworkshophelaborednowwereapiousoldcouple.AndtheybecamequitefondofthequietjourneymanwhosaidlittlebutworkedalltheharderandledadevoutChristianlife.AndtoKnudalsoitseemedthatGodhadliftedtheheavyburdenfromhisheart.HisfavoriterelaxationwastoclimbfromtimetotimetothemightymarblechurchwhichseemedtohimtohavebeenbuiltofthesnowofhisnativeNorthlandformedintoimagespointedtowersanddecoratedopenhalls;fromeverycornerandeverynichethewhitestatuessmileddownuponhim.Abovehimwasthebluesky;belowhimwerethecityandthewide-spreadinggreenplainsofLombardyandtowardthenorththehighmountainscappedwithperpetualsnow.ThenhethoughtofthechurchatKjogewithitsredivy-coloredwallsbuthedidnotlongtogothereagain.Herebeyondthemountainshewouldbeburied.Hehadlivedthereayearandthreeyearshadpassedsincehehadlefthishomewhenonedayhismastertookhimintothecity-nottothecircuswithitsdaringriders;notothegreatoperawherewasanauditoriumwellworthseeing.Therewereseventiersofboxesandfromeachbeautifulsilkencurtainshungwhilefromthegroundtothedizzyheightsoftherooftheresatthemostelegantladieswithcorsagesintheirhandsasiftheywereataballandgentlemeninfulldressmanyofthemwithdecorationsofgoldandsilver.Itwasasbrightthereasinthenoonday-sunshineandthemusicrolledgloriouslyandbeautifully;everythingwasmuchmoresplendidthaninthetheateratCopenhagenbutthenJohannehadbeeninCopenhagenandhere一一Yes!Itwaslikemagic-Johannewasherealso!TheCurtainroseandsheappearedcladinsilkandgoldwithagoldcrownuponherhead.ShesangasnonebutanangelcouldsingandcamefarforwardtothefrontofthestageandsmiledasonlyJohannecouldsmileandlookedstraightdownatKnud!Thepoorboyseizedhismastersarmandcalledoutaloud〃Johanne!〃Theloudmusicsoundedaboveeverythingbutnooneheardbutthemasterwhonoddedhishead.〃Yes〃hesaid“hernameisJohanne!ThenhedrewforthhisprogramandshowedKnudhername-forthefullnamewasprintedthere.Noitwasnotadream!ThegreataudienceapplaudedandthrewwreathsandflowerstoJohanneandeverytimeshewentawaytheycalledherbackonstagesothatshewasalwaysgoingandcoming.Inthestreetoutsideafterwardthepeoplecrowdedabouthercarriageanddrewitawayintriumph.Knudwasinthefirstrowandshoutedasjoyfullyasany;andwhenthecarriagehaltedbeforeherbrightlylightedhousehewasstandingclosebesidethedoor.Itopenedandshesteppedout;thelightfelluponherbelovedfaceandshesmiledthankedthemgraciouslyandappeareddeeplytouched.Knudlookedstraightintohereyesandsheintohisbutsheneverknewhim.Agentlemanwithadecorationglitteringonhisbreastgaveherhisarm-peoplesaidtheywerebetrothed.ThenKnudwenthomeandpackedhisknapsack.Hehaddecidedtoreturntohisownhometotheelderandwillowtrees-ahbeneaththewillowtree!Theoldcouplebeggedhimtoremainbutnowordscouldchangehismind.Itwasinvainthattheypointedouttohimthatwinterwascomingandthesnowhadalreadyfalleninthemountains.Herepliedthathecouldmarchwithhisknapsackonhisbackandsupportedbyhiscaneinthewakeofaslow-movingcarriageforwhichapathwouldhavetobecleared.SoKnudleftforthemountainsandclimbedupthemanddownthem.Hisstrengthgrewlessbutstillhesawnovillageorhouse;alwaysheploddedonwardtowardtheNorth.Highabovehimthestarsgleamed;hisfeetstumbledandhisheadgrewdizzywiththeheights.Starsseemedtoshinedeepinthevalleytooasiftherewereanotherskybelowhim.Hefeltill.Moreandmorestarsbecamevisiblebelowhim;theyglowedbrighterandbrighterandmovedtoandfro.Thenherealizeditwasthelightsofalittletownthatwereshiningdownthere.Whenhewassureofthatheputforththelastofhisstrengthandfinallyreachedtheshelterofahumbleinn.Heremainedtherethatnightandthewholeofthenextdayforhisbodywasindesperateneedofrestandrefreshment.Theicewasbeginningtothawandtherewasraininthevalley.ButonthesecondmorningamanwithahandorgancametotheinnandplayedaDanishmelody-andnowKnudcouldnotremain.Heresumedhisjourneynorthwardtrampingonformanydayshurryingasthoughheweretryingtoreachhomebeforeallweredeadthere.Buttonomandidhespeakofhislongingfornoonewouldhavebelievedinthesorrowofhisspiritthedeepestahumanheartcanfeel.Suchgriefisnotfortheworldforitisnotamusing;norisitforfriends.Andthismanhadnofriends;astrangerhewanderedthroughstrangelandstowardhishomeintheNorth.Hehadreceivedonlyoneletterfromhomeanditwasnowyearssincehisparentshadwritten.YouarenotreallyDanishaswehereathome.Weloveourcountrybutyouloveonlyastrangecountry.,zThushisparentshadwrittenhim-yestheythoughttheyknewhim!。