tales from two hemispheres[1].(两个半球的故事)-第42节
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dream so much。〃
Then one of the maids ran out to call Lage Ulfson； who had gone to
the stables to harness the horses； and he came and greeted the unknown
man； and thanked him for last meeting； as is the wont of Norse peasants；
although they had never seen each other until that morning。 But when
the stranger had eaten two meals in Lage's house； Lage asked him his
name and his father's occupation； for old Norwegian hospitality forbids
the host to learn the guest's name before he has slept and eaten under his
roof。 It was that same afternoon； when they sat together smoking their
pipes under the huge old pine in the yard；it was then Lage inquired about
the young man's name and family； and the young man said that his name
was Trond Vigfusson； that he had graduated at the University of
Christiania； and that his father had been a lieutenant in the army； but both
he and Trond's mother had died； when Trond was only a few years old。
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Lage then told his guest Vigfusson something about his family； but of the
legend of Asathor and Saint Olaf he spoke not a word。 And while they
were sitting there talking together； Aasa came and sat down at Vigfusson's
feet； her long golden hair flowed in a waving stream down over her back
and shoulders； there was a fresh； healthful glow on her cheeks； and her
blue； fathomless eyes had a strangely joyous； almost triumphant
expression。 The father's gaze dwelt fondly upon her； and the collegian
was but conscious of one thought： that she was wondrously beautiful。
And still so great was his natural timidity and awkwardness in the
presence of women； that it was only with the greatest difficulty he could
master his first impulse to find some excuse for leaving her。 She；
however； was aware of no such restraint。
〃You said you came to gather song；〃 she said； 〃where do you find it？
for I too should like to find some new melody for my old thoughts； I have
searched so long。〃
〃I find my songs on the lips of the people；〃 answered he； 〃and I write
them down as the maidens or the old men sing them。〃
She did not seem quite to comprehend that。 〃Do you hear maidens
sing them？〃 asked she； astonished。 〃Do you mean the troll…virgins and
the elf…maidens？〃
〃By troll…virgins and elf…maidens； or what the legends call so； I
understand the hidden and still audible voices of nature； of the dark pine
forests； the legend…haunted glades； and the silent tarns； and this was what I
referred to when I answered your question if I had ever heard the forest
sing。〃
〃Oh； oh！〃 cried she； delighted； and clapped her hands like a child； but
in another moment she as suddenly grew serious again； and sat steadfastly
gazing into his eye； as if she were trying to look into his very soul and
there to find something kindred to her own lonely heart。 A minute ago
her presence had embarrassed him； now； strange to say； he met her eye；
and smiled happily as he met it。
〃Do you mean to say that you make your living by writing songs？〃
asked Lage。
〃The trouble is；〃 answered Vigfusson； 〃that I make no living at all； but
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TALES FROM TWO HEMISPHERES。
I have invested a large capital； which is to yield its interest in the future。
There is a treasure of song hidden in every nook and corner of our
mountains and forests； and in our nation's heart。 I am one of the miners
who have come to dig it out before time and oblivion shall have buried
every trace of it； and there shall not be even the will…o'…the… wisp of a
legend to hover over the spot； and keep alive the sad fact of our loss and
our blamable negligence。〃
Here the young man paused； his eyes gleamed； his pale cheeks flushed；
and there was a warmth and an enthusiasm in his words which alarmed
Lage； while on Aasa it worked like the most potent charm of the ancient
mystic runes； she hardly comprehended more than half of the speaker's
meaning； but his fire and eloquence were on this account none the less
powerful。
〃If that is your object；〃 remarked Lage； 〃I think you have hit upon the
right place in coming here。 You will be able to pick up many an odd bit
of a story from the servants and others hereabouts； and you are welcome to
stay here with us as long as you choose。〃
Lage could not but attribute to Vigfusson the merit of having kept Aasa
at home a whole day； and that in the month of midsummer。 And while he
sat there listening to their conversation； while he contemplated the delight
that beamed from his daughter's countenance and； as he thought； the really
intelligent expression of her eyes； could he conceal from himself the pa…
ternal hopes that swelled his heart？ She was all that was left him； the life
or the death of his mighty race。 And here was one who was likely to
understand her； and to whom she seemed willing to yield all the affection
of her warm but wayward heart。 Thus ran Lage Ulfson's reflections； and
at night he had a little consultation with Elsie； his wife； who； it is needless
to add； was no less sanguine than he。
〃And then Aasa will make an excellent housewife； you know；〃
observed Elsie。 〃I will speak to the girl about it to…morrow。〃
〃No； for Heaven's sake； Elsie！〃 exclaimed Lage； 〃don't you know your
daughter better than that？ Promise me； Elsie； that you will not say a
single word； it would be a cruel thing； Elsie； to mention anything to her。
She is not like other girls； you know。〃
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TALES FROM TWO HEMISPHERES。
〃Very well； Lage； I shall not say a single word。 Alas； you are right；
she is not like other girls。〃 And Elsie again sighed at her husband's sad
ignorance of a woman's nature； and at the still sadder fact of her daughter's
inferiority to the accepted standard of womanhood。
IV。
Trond Vigfusson must have made a rich harvest of legends at Kvaerk；
at least judging by the time he stayed there； for days and weeks passed；
and he had yet said nothing of going。 Not that anybody wished him to go；
no； on the contrary； the longer he stayed the more indispensable he seemed
to all； and Lage Ulfson could hardly think without a shudder of the
possibility of his ever having to leave them。 For Aasa； his only child；
was like another being in the presence of this stranger； all that weird；
forest…like intensity； that wild； half supernatural tinge in her character
which in a measure excluded her from the blissful feeling of fellowship
with other men； and made her the strange； lonely creature she was；all
this seemed to vanish as dew in the morning sun when Vigfusson's eyes
rested upon her； and with every day that passed； her human and womanly
nature gained a stronger hold upon her。 She followed him like his
shadow on all his wanderings； and when they sat down together by the
wayside； she would sing； in a clear； soft voice； an ancient lay or ballad；
and he would catch her words on his paper； and smile at the happy
prospect of perpetuating what otherwise would have been lost。 Aasa's love；
whether conscious or not； was to him an everlasting source of strength；
was a revelation of himself to himself； and a clearing and widening power
which brought ever more and more of the universe within the scope of his
vision。 So they lived on from day to day and from week to week； and； as
old Lage remarked； never had Kvaerk been the scene of so much
happiness。 Not a single time during Vigfusson's stay had Aasa fled to the
forest； not a meal had she missed； and at the hours for family devotion she
had taken her seat at the big ta
