Page:Round the Yule Log.djvu/42

18 valley. Here*s a letter from your father, and the horse is waiting for you out in the yard." " But, good heavens, is that you, Thor ? " I shouted in great joy. It was indeed my father's man, a splendid specimen of a Norwegian peasant. " How in the world have you come here already ? " your favourite, the bay mare. I had to take your father down to Naes, and then he says to me, ' Thor,' says he, ' it isn't very far to town from here. Just take the bay mare and run down and see how the lieutenant is, and if he is well and can come with you, you must bring him back along with you,' says he." When we left the town, it was daylight. The roads were in splendid condition. The bay mare stretched out her old smart legs and we arrived at length in sight of the dear old house. Thor jumped off the sledge to undo the gate, and as we merrily drove up to the door we were met by the boisterous welcome of old Rover, who in his frantic joy at hearing my voice almost broke his chain in trying to rush at me. Such a Christmas as I spent that year I cannot recollect before or since.
 * ' Ah, that I can soon tell you," answered Thor. " I came with