Page:Pontoppidan - Emanuel, or Children of the Soil (1896).djvu/123

 became rigid with astonishment, and threw away the halter as if he had been caught in a crime.

Emanuel went towards him, holding out his hand in a friendly manner. The old man could not get over his flurry, but went on stammering out confused excuses for his "work-a-day look."

"Oh, never mind about that! The proverb says, 'A workman is not ashamed of his tools, said Emanuel, becoming more easy at the sight of their embarrassment.

"I hope you are well, Anders Jörgen? It is a long time since I saw you."

"Thank ye—thank ye; it's just this way, ye see, the beasts mun be looked after, be it work-a-day or holy day." The old man went on excusing himself. "We've just got two new-calved cows—an one o' them's got a chill—an ye can't very weel neglect her."

"Of course not—don't reproach yourself!" said Emanuel, smiling. "I was just passing and thought I should like to see how time goes with you. I see that your daughter—isn't her name Hansine?"

"Ay, your reverence."

"I see she has quite recovered. I hope she has got over her illness entirely."

"I'm much obliged to ye, sir. I think she's quite hearty again, thank the Lord; but, if you please, won't your rev'rence step inside? Mother'll be here directly, she's only slipped out to see a woman at the Plantation."