Feats on the Fiord | Page 8

no more tormenting of ourselves or
one another! No more of that after to-day! What is to-day worth, if it is
not to put an end to all doubts of one another?"
"But where is the use of that, if you still will not believe that I can keep
off all trouble from you--that nothing in the universe shall touch you to
your hurt, while--"
"O, hush! hush!" said Erica, turning pale and red at the presumption of
this speech. "See, they are waiting for us. One more round before
supper."
And in the whirl of the waltz she tried to forget the last words Rolf had
spoken; but they rang in her ears; and before her eyes were images of
Nipen overhearing this defiance,--and the Water-sprite planning
vengeance in its palace under the ice,--and the Mountain-Demon
laughing in scorn, till the echoes shouted again,--and the Wood-Demon
waiting only for summer to see how he could beguile the rash lover.
Erica finished her dance; but when the company and the men of the

household were seated at the supper-table, and she had to help her
mistress and the young ladies to wait upon them, she trembled so that
she could scarcely stand. It was so very wrong of Rolf to be always
defying the spirits!
Long was the supper, and hearty was the mirth round the table. People
in Norway have universally a hearty appetite,--such an appetite as we
English have no idea of. Whether it is owing to the sharp climate, or to
the active life led by all,--whatever may be the cause, such is the fact.
This night, piles of fish disappeared first; and then joint after joint of
reindeer venison. The fine game of the country was handed round, cut
up; and little but the bones was left of a score of birds. Then there were
preserved fruits, and berries, eaten with thick cream;-- almost every
dish that could be thought of made of the rich cream of the north. Erica
recovered herself as the great business went on, and while her proud
lover watched her, forgetting his supper, he thought to himself that no
one of the fair attendants trod so lightly as Erica--no one carved so
neatly--no one handed the dishes so gracefully, or was so quick at
seeing to whom the most respect and attention were owing. Perhaps
this last thought was suggested by Rolf's perceiving that, either by her
own hand or another's, the hottest dishes and the nicest bits were found,
all supper-time, close to his elbow. Madame Erlingsen, he decided,
with all her experience, did not do the duties of the table so well; and
the young ladies, kind and good-tempered as they were, would never,
by any experience, become so graceful as Erica.
At last appeared the final dish of the long feast--the sweet cake, with
which dinner and supper in Norway usually conclude. While this was
sliced and handed round, Rolf observed that Erica looked anxiously
towards him. He took no notice, hoping that she would come and speak
to him, and that he should thus be the gainer of a few of her sweet
words. She did come, and just said,
"The cake and ale are here, Rolf. Will you carry them?"
"O, the treat for old Nipen. Yes, I will carry them," replied Rolf, rising
from his seat.

It is the custom in the country regions of Norway to give the spirit
Nipen a share at festival times. His Christmas cake is richer than that
prepared for the guests; and, before the feast is finished, it is laid in
some place out of doors, where, as might be expected, it is never to be
found in the morning. Everybody knew therefore why Rolf rose from
his seat, though some were too far off to hear him say that he would
carry out the treat for old Nipen.
"Now, pray do not speak so,--do not call him those names," said Erica,
anxiously. "It is quite as easy to speak so as not to offend him. Pray,
Rolf, to please me, do speak respectfully. And promise me to play no
tricks, but just set the things down, and come straight in, and do not
look behind you. Promise me, Rolf."
Rolf did promise, but he was stopped by two voices, calling upon him.
Oddo, the herd-boy, came running to claim the office of carrying out
Nipen's cake; and M. Kollsen, from his seat, declared that he could not
countenance any superstitious observances,--would not indeed permit
any so gross as this in his presence. He requested that the company
might have the benefit of the cake, and made a speech in ridicule of all
spirits and fairies so very bold and contemptuous, that all present who
had to go home that night