ib and little christina-第2节
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herself; quite a pocket full。 Ib and Christina looked at the wishing
nuts with wide open eyes。
〃Is there in this nut a carriage; with a pair of horses?〃 asked
Ib。
〃Yes; there is a golden carriage; with two golden horses;〃 replied
the woman。
〃Then give me that nut;〃 said Christina; so Ib gave it to her; and
the strange woman tied up the nut for her in her handkerchief。
Ib held up another nut。 〃Is there; in this nut; a pretty little
neckerchief like the one Christina has on her neck?〃 asked Ib。
〃There are ten neckerchiefs in it;〃 she replied; 〃as well as
beautiful dresses; stockings; and a hat and veil。〃
〃Then I will have that one also;〃 said Christina; 〃and it is a
pretty one too。 And then Ib gave her the second nut。
The third was a little black thing。 〃You may keep that one;〃
said Christina; 〃it is quite as pretty。〃
〃What is in it?〃 asked Ib。
〃The best of all things for you;〃 replied the gypsy。 So Ib held
the nut very tight。
Then the woman promised to lead the children to the right path;
that they might find their way home: and they went forward certainly
in quite another direction to the one they meant to take; therefore no
one ought to speak against the woman; and say that she wanted to steal
the children。 In the wild wood…path they met a forester who knew Ib;
and; by his help; Ib and Christina reached home; where they found
every one had been very anxious about them。 They were pardoned and
forgiven; although they really had both done wrong; and deserved to
get into trouble; first; because they had let the sucking…pig fall
into the water; and; secondly; because they had run away。 Christina
was taken back to her father's house on the heath; and Ib remained
in the farm…house on the borders of the wood; near the great land
ridge。
The first thing Ib did that evening was to take out of his
pocket the little black nut; in which the best thing of all was said
to be enclosed。 He laid it carefully between the door and the
door…post; and then shut the door so that the nut cracked directly。
But there was not much kernel to be seen; it was what we should call
hollow or worm…eaten; and looked as if it had been filled with tobacco
or rich black earth。 〃It is just what I expected!〃 exclaimed Ib。
〃How should there be room in a little nut like this for the best thing
of all? Christina will find her two nuts just the same; there will
be neither fine clothes or a golden carriage in them。〃
Winter came; and the new year; and indeed many years passed
away; until Ib was old enough to be confirmed; and; therefore; he went
during a whole winter to the clergyman of the nearest village to be
prepared。
One day; about this time; the boatman paid a visit to Ib's
parents; and told them that Christina was going to service; and that
she had been remarkably fortunate in obtaining a good place; with most
respectable people。 〃Only think;〃 he said; 〃She is going to the rich
innkeeper's; at the hotel in Herning; many miles west from here。 She
is to assist the landlady in the housekeeping; and; if afterwards
she behaves well and remains to be confirmed; the people will treat
her as their own daughter。〃
So Ib and Christina took leave of each other。 People already
called them 〃the betrothed;〃 and at parting the girl showed Ib the two
nuts; which she had taken care of ever since the time that they lost
themselves in the wood; and she told him also that the little wooden
shoes he once carved for her when he was a boy; and gave her as a
present; had been carefully kept in a drawer ever since。 And so they
parted。
After Ib's confirmation; he remained at home with his mother;
for he had become a clever shoemaker; and in summer managed the farm
for her quite alone。 His father had been dead some time; and his
mother kept no farm servants。 Sometimes; but very seldom; he heard
of Christina; through a postillion or eel…seller who was passing。
But she was well off with the rich innkeeper; and after being
confirmed she wrote a letter to her father; in which was a kind
message to Ib and his mother。 In this letter; she mentioned that her
master and mistress had made her a present of a beautiful new dress;
and some nice under…clothes。 This was; of course; pleasant news。
One day; in the following spring; there came a knock at the door
of the house where Ib's old mother lived; and when they opened it;
lo and behold; in stepped the boatman and Christina。 She had come to
pay them a visit; and to spend the day。 A carriage had to come from
the Herning hotel to the next village; and she had taken the
opportunity to see her friends once more。 She looked as elegant as a
real lady; and wore a pretty dress; beautifully made on purpose for
her。 There she stood; in full dress; while Ib wore only his working
clothes。 He could not utter a word; he could only seize her hand and
hold it fast in his own; but he felt too happy and glad to open his
lips。 Christina; however; was quite at her ease; she talked and
talked; and kissed him in the most friendly manner。 Even afterwards;
when they were left alone; and she asked; 〃Did you know me again; Ib?〃
he still stood holding her hand; and said at last; 〃You are become
quite a grand lady; Christina; and I am only a rough working man;
but I have often thought of you and of old times。〃 Then they
wandered up the great ridge; and looked across the stream to the
heath; where the little hills were covered with the flowering broom。
Ib said nothing; but before the time came for them to part; it
became quite clear to him that Christina must be his wife: had they
not even in childhood been called the betrothed? To him it seemed as
if they were really engaged to each other; although not a word had
been spoken on the subject。 They had only a few more hours to remain
together; for Christina was obliged to return that evening to the
neighboring village; to be ready for the carriage which was to start
the next morning early for Herning。 Ib and her father accompanied
her to the village。 It was a fine moonlight evening; and when they
arrived; Ib stood holding Christina's hand in his; as if he could
not let her go。 His eyes brightened; and the words he uttered came
with hesitation from his lips; but from the deepest recesses of his
heart: 〃Christina; if you have not become too grand; and if you can be
contented to live in my mother's house as my wife; we will be
married some day。 But we can wait for a while。〃
〃Oh yes;〃 she replied; 〃Let us wait a little longer; Ib。 I can
trust you; for I believe that I do love you。 But let me think it
over。〃 Then he kissed her lips; and so they parted。
On the way home; Ib told the boatman that he and Christina were as
good as engaged to each other; and the boatman found out that he had
always expected it would be so; and went home with Ib that evening;
and remained the night in the farmhouse; but nothing further was
said of the engagement。 During the next year; two letters passed
between Ib and Christina。 They were signed; 〃Faithful till death;〃 but
at the end of that time; one day the boatman came over to see Ib; with
a kind greeting from Christina。 He had something else to say; which
made him hesitate in a strange manner。 At last it came out that
Christina; who had grown a very pretty girl; was more lucky than ever。
She was courted and admired by every one; but her master's son; who
had been home on a visit; was so much pleased with Christina that he
wished to marry her。 He had a very good situation in an office at
Copenhagen; and as she had also taken a liking for him; his parents
were not unwilling to consent。 But Christina; in her heart; often
thought of Ib; and knew how much he thought of her; so she felt
inclined to refuse this good fortune; added the boatman。 At first Ib
said not a word; but he became as white as the wall; and shook his
head gently; and then he spoke;… 〃Christina must not refuse this
good fortune。〃
〃Then will you write a few words to her?〃 said the boatman。
Ib sat down to write; but he could not get on at all。 The words
were not what he wished to say; so he tore up the page。 The
following morning; however; a letter lay ready to be sent to
Christina; and the following is what he wrote:…
〃The letter written by you to your father I have read; and see
from it that you are prosperous in everything; and that still better
fortune is in store for you。 Ask your own heart; Christina; and
think over carefully what awaits you if you take me for your
husband; for I possess very little in the world。 Do not think of me or
of my position; think only of your own welfare。 You are bound to me by
no promises; and if in your heart you have given me one; I release you
from it。 May every blessing and happiness be poured out upon you;
Christina。 Heaven will give me the heart's consolation。
Ever your sincere friend; IB。〃
This letter was sent; and Christina received it in due time。 In
the course of the following November; her banns were publish