Page:Karl Gjellerup - Minna, A novel - 1913.djvu/298



this moment the door opened, and Immanuel Hertz came in.

His good-natured but plain face had a very alarmed expression.

"Hertz, you here! I hope your father is not"

"My father is very ill.… I got a wire from mother, just in time to catch the train.… Father did not recognise me, he was in a high fever. I am afraid … that he … will pass away."

At any other time these words would have caused me the most acute grief, but now my first thought was: How shall I be able to worry Mrs. Hertz with my own sorrow, when her husband is lying on his deathbed? That Hertz was going to die seemed to me quite natural and necessary, and at the same time I felt my own hope vanish.… However, I tried the usual cheering phrases.

"Father is dozing now. I therefore ran over to you.… Come home with me, Fenger! And remain with us for the night; I know it will please father to see your face"

His eyes were filled with tears. I quickly picked up my hat and put out the lamp—at the same instant he caught sight of Minna's picture.

"Oh, how lovely! And I have quite forgotten to congratulate you, but you will understand at such a time. But now I do it with all my heart, for I can do so, it is not among the instances where one says it as an empty 290