Page:Christmas Fireside Stories.djvu/15

Rh gables and towers, with weathercocks and latticed windows, as a monument of the architecture of the time of King Christian the Fourth. The Swan looked then as now a most respectable and sedate bird, with its gold ring around the neck, its spur-boots and its wings stretched out as if ready to fly. I was about to plunge myself into reflection on imprisoned birds, when I was disturbed by noise and laughter proceeding from some children in the adjoining room, and by a gentle, old-maidenish knock at my door.



On my requesting the visitor to come in, the elder of my land- ladies, Miss Mette, entered the room with a courtesy in the good old style; she inquired after my health, and invited me without