By ten o'clock the next morning the fiddlers had again arrived, and the dancing was renewed, this time with a noticeable increase in the number of rosy-cheeked, snowy-haired, elderly couples, in quaint holiday dress of homespun, with silver-buckled shoes. The bride continued to dance gracefully and bravely on, although paling cheeks told of her weariness. Fru Nielsen explained that the third and last day would only differ from the first in that there would be fewer guests present, after which all would begin making formal calls upon the bride, which was considered the height of good form. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 24: West Sea.] [Footnote 25: So named for Martin Luther.] [Footnote 26: The "Asking Man."] [Footnote 27: Literally, "Peasant's Domain."] [Footnote 28: "No, thank you."] CHAPTER X JUL-TIDE AT GRANDMOTHER INGEMANN'S A FRESHLY fallen, deep, feathery snow covered Odense on Christmas Eve, and the merry jingle of sleigh-bells was in the air, as the little Ingemann party reached Fyen's prosperous capital. Grandmother Ingemann did not live within the town itself, but a long drive in a big sleigh brought her Christmas guests within sight of the great old house with its many gables--all of the oddest stairway design--where most of her long, happy life had been lived. [Illustration: "'WELCOME! AND "GLAEDELIG JUL!'" CALLED OUT BOTH GRANDFATHER AND GRANDMOTHER INGEMANN"] Although it was only the middle of the wintry afternoon, darkness was fast gathering, and from many a window on their way a candle's soft glow shone out through the fluttering snow to guide the wayfarer to warmth and cheer. "Welcome! and _Glaedelig Jul_!"[29] called out both Grandfather and Grandmother Ingemann, who, in spite of the cold, had appeared on the door-step as the sleigh drew up. "_Glaedelig Jul!_" cried Valdemar and Karen, kissing their dear grandparents, as Fru Ingemann introduced Aunt Amalia and cousin Karl. "Where's Uncle Thor, and where's Aage?" demanded Valdemar as they entered the house. "And where's Daddy? Didn't Daddy come?" was Cousin Karl's first question. "Yes, dear children, everybody's here," gently answered Grandmother Ingemann, smiling as she glanced out of the window. Out rushed the children to welcome the sleigh that came jingling up to the door, out of which jumped Uncle Thor, Aage, and Uncle Oscar, just back from the States. Such huggings and greetings as then took place! Never had there been such a happy Christmas family reunion at Grandmother Ingemann's for long years and years! Since his mother had last seen him, Aage had grown into a tall, broad-shouldered young man who carried himself with such fine military bearing--and preceded all his remarks with: "In my regiment"--that Valdemar and Karl soon idolized him. And as for skating--well, he would show them something in the half hour, or so, that still remained before the time to start for the annual Christmas Eve service at the little church on the hill.