Page:Karl Gjellerup - Minna, A novel - 1913.djvu/38



I went out on the following morning, I carefully examined not only the stone steps, but also the little recess of the window. But the glow-worm had gone. I made up my mind, that if it was there again in the evening, I would take it as an omen that a closer relationship would be established between me and my beautiful neighbour.

I went straight to the schoolmaster, who had asked me to call for advice with regard to nice excursions, and who was a distant relation of hers.

It was holiday-time, and I found him in the kitchen-garden in front of the house, where he was working with an enormous rush-hat on his head. He was evidently pleased to see me. After having exchanged the usual remarks about the weather, which looked fairly settled, he asked me where I had been, and soon mentioned a walk I did not know of, and that I could not take by myself. I therefore willingly accepted his offer to accompany me directly after midday.

On the way he was—well, there is no other expression for it but the German kreuzfidel (wound up). It transpired that he had studied for a considerable time—very likely more in the public-houses than in college—and the recollections of those days were the pride of his life. He sang one ditty after another from The Students' Songbook; many of his songs showing a remarkable lack of sense, as, for instance— 30