Garman and Worse | Page 4

all their
neighbours. She did not remain much in the house, but passed most of
her time at the farmhouses, or by the sea, or the little boat haven.
A whole regiment of governesses had attempted to teach Madeleine,
but the task was a difficult one; and when the governesses were ugly
her father could not abide them, and when one came who was pretty
there were other objections. Richard paid frequent visits to Sandsgaard,
either on Don Juan or in the Garmans' dogcart, which was sent to fetch
him. The chilly, old-fashioned house, and the reserved and polished
manners of its inmates, had made a repellant impression on Madeleine.
For her cousin Rachel, who was only a few years her elder, she had no
liking. She preferred, therefore, to remain at home, and her father was
never absent for more than a few days at a time. She spent most of her
time on the shore or in the neighbouring cottages, in the society of
fishermen and pilots. Merry and fearless as she was, these men were
glad to take her out in fine weather in their boats. She thus learnt to fish,
to handle a sail, or to distinguish the different craft by their rig.
Madeleine had one particular friend whose name was Per, who was
three or four years older than herself, and who lived in the cottage
nearest to the lighthouse. Per was tall and strongly built, with a crop of
stiff, sandy hair, and a big hand as hard as horn from constant rowing;
his eyes were small and keen, as is often seen among those who from
their childhood are in the habit of peering out to sea through rain and
fog.
Per's father had been a widower, and Per his only child, but he
managed to get married again, and now the family increased year after
year. The neighbours were always urging Per to get his father to divide

the property with him, but Per preferred to wait the turn of events. The
longer he waited the more brothers and sisters he had to share with. His
friends laughed at him, and somebody one day called him "Wait Per," a
joke which caused great amusement at the time, and the nickname
stuck to him ever afterwards. Beyond this, Per was not a lad to be
laughed at; he was one of the most active boatmen of the community,
and at the same time the most peaceable creature on earth. He did not
trouble to distinguish himself, but he had a kind of natural love for
work, and, as he was afraid of nothing, the general feeling was that Per
was a lad that would get on.
The friendship between Per and Madeleine was very cordial on both
sides. At first some of the other young fellows tried to take her from
him, but one day it so happened that when she was out with Per, a fresh
north-westerly breeze sprang up. Per's boat and tackle were always of
the best, so that there was no real danger; but nevertheless her father,
who had seen the boat through the big telescope, came in all haste
down to the shore, and went out on to the little pier to meet them.
"There's father," said Madeleine; "I wonder if he is anxious about us?"
"I think he knows better than that," said Per, thoughtfully.
All the same the _attaché_ could not help feeling a little uneasy as he
stood watching the boat; but when Per with a steady hand steered her in
through the fairway, and swung her round the point of the pier, so that
she glided easily into the smooth water behind it, the old gentleman
could not help being impressed by his skill. "He knows what he's
about," he muttered, as he helped up his daughter; and instead of the
lecture he had prepared, he only said, "You are a smart lad, Per; but I
never gave you permission to sail with her alone."
There was no one near enough to hear the old gentleman's words, but
when the spectators who were standing near saw that Per shook hands
with both Madeleine and her father in a friendly manner, they could all
perceive that Per was in the lighthouse-keeper's good books for the
future, and from that day it was taken for granted that Per alone had the
right to escort the young lady.

Per thought over and over whom he should take with him in the boat.
He saw well enough that the whole pleasure would be spoilt if one of
his friends came with them. At length he hit upon a poor half-witted lad,
who was also hard of hearing into the bargain. No one could make out
what Per wanted with "Silly