Page:Pontoppidan - Emanuel, or Children of the Soil (1896).djvu/48

 red fists, which were stretched towards him with a hearty "Welcome."

For a moment he was quite confused. He felt he must say something, and also perceived that the men expected it. But it had come upon him so unexpectedly that he could find nothing to say beyond repeating, "Thank you, thank you," while he cordially pressed the outstretched hands.

Just then the clearers in front shouted that the way was open. The driver shook the reins and the sledge began to move. At the last moment he found words and said, "Good-bye friends—thank you for your welcome! I shall consider myself lucky if I always find such men to clear the way for me! I hope we shall get on well with each other!"

"That we will, never fear!" was answered back from many mouths.

"And we hae need to!" shouted a deep threatening voice at the back of the group, followed by a murmur of approbation.

These words and the tone in which they were spoken startled the curate. While the sledge flew over the snow he mused in astonishment over the meaning of the man's words. He pondered upon it so long, that the sledge reached Skibberup before he had an idea they were so near. At the sight of the first house he started up in dismay—all this time he had entirely forgotten the sick man, and didn't know in the least what he was to say to him. But he soon