"When you are tired of sitting here," said Hardy, for he it was, "you
can go into the deck-house and lie down. We shall have dinner at six.
There is Samso, and before you rise to-morrow we shall be at
Copenhagen, I shall have to be up all night."
The yacht delighted Helga. The dinner was served so well that it
surprised her; and when they came on deck, it was a pleasure to see
the distant lights in the fine summer's night, and to feel the yacht
rushing through the smooth sea.
"I do like this. Hardy," she said. "Must I go to my berth? I would
rather be on deck and hear your voice now and then."
"No," said Hardy; "because you must not draw off my attention. We have
to look after the pilot, and I am the only man on board that knows
Danish;" and Helga went at once.
Mrs. Hardy, who had heard what had passed, was pleased to see her
rapid compliance with what was necessary.
When Helga came on deck the next day, they were at anchor near the
Custom House at Copenhagen. Mrs. Hardy was already up, and they had
breakfast.
Hardy gave some necessary orders as to coaling, and they went ashore
and saw the Museum of Northern Antiquities, Thorwaldsen's Museum, and
much else, and lunched at the Hotel d'Angleterre in the King's New
Market, or Kongens Nytorv.
"Now, Helga, what is there more to see?" asked Hardy.
"There is the picture gallery in Christiansborg Slot, but there are so
many steps up to it that it will fatigue Mrs. Hardy; but, if we might,
I should like to call and see Axel, and arrange about his coming back
with us," said Helga. "To-morrow you could see Rosenborg, which is
certain to interest you; we have to give notice to-day to the
curator."
"I shall be henpecked, mother," said Hardy. "She orders everything
already."
"No, you will not," said Helga, who understood him, although he had
spoken in English. "I shall give my life to you, and my will too."
There was no mistaking the look in those blue eyes. "You might be
interested," she added, "in going to the Royal Theatre. The play
to-night is one of Holberg's comedies, 'Den pantsatte Bondedreng,'
that is, 'The Farmer's Boy left in Pledge.' It is a good play and
popular. I can tell the story of the play to Mrs. Hardy before she
goes, as you. Hardy, already know it."
"I give myself entirely in your hands, Helga. You shall be obeyed
before marriage, and obey me after," said Hardy, laughing.
"It is not a question of obedience," replied Helga. "I am yours
altogether when I am your wife."
As she had said this in Danish, Hardy explained to his mother.
Mrs. Hardy said, "She is a jewel, John, and without price;" and rose
from her seat and kissed her on the parting of her hair.
"Don't do that, mother," said John; "you make me wish to kiss her head
off."
CHAPTER XXII.
"Oh, ye valleys! oh, ye mountains!
Oh, ye groves, and crystal fountains!
How I love, as liberty,
By turns to come and visit ye!"
_The Complete Angler._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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