Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. II.djvu/246

Rh for when she was about to return home with Herr Lange, his horses became frightened by the pitch darkness of the night and would not go on, and she herself becoming frightened too would not venture with her little children. Bergvall, therefore, set off alone through the forest, and I heard his wife calling after him; “Dear Bergvall, mind and milk the white cow well again to-night.” (N.B. It is the men in this country who milk the cows, as well as attend to all kinds of out-of-door business.) He replied to her with a cheerful “Yes.” And Mrs. Bergvall and her mother prayed me to excuse there being so many of them in the house that night, &c.—me, the stranger, and who was the cause of this throng! It was I who ought to have asked for excuse. And I would rather have slept outside the house than not have appeared satisfied and pleased with everything within it. And when Mrs. Petterson had lain down she said—

“Ah, Miss Bremer, how much more people can bear than can be believed possible!” I sighed, and said, “Yes, indeed!” gave up the search for an extinguisher, which could not be found, put out the candle, therefore, with a piece of paper, and crept into my portion of the bed, where, though my sleep was nothing to speak of, I yet rested comfortably. I was glad the next morning to feel well, and to rise with the sun, which, however, shone somewhat dimly through the mist above the beautiful lake. It was a cool, moist morning; but these warm-hearted people, the warm and good coffee, and the hospitable entertainment, warmed both soul and body.

It was with heartfelt emotion and gratitude that I, after breakfast, took leave of my Swedish friends. Mrs. Petterson would have given me the only valuable which she now possessed—a great, big, gold ring; but I could not consent to it. How richly had she gifted me already! We parted, not without tears. That amiable, young mother, her cheeks blooming like wild roses,