"It is a lovely place, John," said his friend; "but, I suppose,
nothing to be compared with the loveliness of your Scandinavian
princess?"
"Don't quiz," said Hardy; "but come out and try a cast for an hour or
so for the Danish trout. We can also visit a landowner near, who
breeds good Jutland horses, and I know that is in your line."
"By all means," said his friend.
The stout proprietor, Jensen, was pleased with their visit, and the
opportunity of hearing another Englishman's opinion as to his stock of
horses.
"They want bone," said Sir Charles, "and to be kept better through the
winter."
"Then it would not pay to breed horses," said the proprietor. "A
big-boned horse would be more expensive to keep up, and would not
stand the cold and wet of our climate. We have no market for very
high-class horses; that is, we might sell one now and then, but not
many."
A short tobacco-parliament on horses was inevitable, and hints were
exchanged and thoughts expressed very valuable in their way, but not
necessary to be recorded here.
The wedding took place in the little Danish church at Vandstrup, and
was witnessed by a large number of Hardy's Danish acquaintances and
the Pastor's friends. The Pastor made a long discourse, for his heart
was full.
Mrs. Hardy would not hear of her son's accompanying her to Esbjerg.
She left with Sir Charles Lynton, for Horsens, to continue the journey
the next day to Esbjerg, where the yacht had been sent to meet them.
It was not until the middle of September that John Hardy and his wife,
with Pastor Lindal, left Denmark by the overland route for Hardy
Place. The time of their arrival at the station for Hardy Place was
therefore known some time before, and confirmed by a telegram from
Hardy on their reaching England.
Mrs. Hardy was on the platform, with a tall young man Pastor Lindal
did not know.
"It is your son Karl, Herr Pastor," said Mrs. Hardy.
A year's residence in England had made a great change in the Danish
lad, and he appeared so English that the Pastor hesitated before he
spoke to him in Danish. Karl's reply assured him that if he was
changed outwardly, there was no change that he could regret.
Mrs. Hardy welcomed the Pastor and her son's wife warmly. Two
carriages had been prepared, and John Hardy and his wife went in the
first, and Mrs. Hardy, the Pastor, and Karl in the second. When they
reached the entrance to Hardy Place, there was a considerable crowd of
well-wishers, who cheered lustily. There was an arch with the words--
"Saxon and Dane are we,
But all of us Danes
in our welcome of thee."
"It is kindly meant," said the Pastor, to Mrs. Hardy; "and I like the
full ring of the English cheer."
At the door at Hardy Place there was another crowd, and amid more
English cheers the fair Dane John Hardy had brought home as his wife
alighted at Hardy Place.
Mrs. Hardy took possession of Helga, and left her son to speak to his
friends and thank them for their reception, and entertain them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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