The Waif of the Cynthia | Page 8

lusty screams when he awoke, as he did immediately, when he no
longer felt himself rocked by the waves. Our little Otto was over two
years old, and I knew how to manage such little rogues. I rolled up a bit
of rag, dipped it in some eau de vie and water that I had with me, and
gave it to him to suck. This quieted him at once, and he seemed to
enjoy the cordial. But I knew that he would not be quiet long, therefore
I made all haste to return to Noroe. I had untied the cradle and placed it
in the boat at my feet; and while I attended to my sail, I watched the
poor little one, and asked myself where it could possibly have come
from. Doubtless from some shipwrecked vessel. A fierce tempest had
been raging during the night, and there had been many disasters. But by
what means had this infant escaped the fate of those who had had the
charge of him? How had they thought of tying him to the buoy? How
many hours had he been floating on the waves? Where were his father
and mother, those who loved him? But all these questions had to
remain unanswered, the poor baby was unable to give us any
information. In half an hour I was at home, and gave my new
possession to Katrina. We had a cow then, and she was immediately
pressed into service as a nurse for the infant. He was so pretty, so
smiling, so rosy, when he had been fed and warmed before the fire, that
we fell in love with him at once; just the same as if he had been our
own. And then, you see, we took care of him; we brought him up, and
we have never made any difference between him and our own two
children. Is it not true, wife?" added Mr. Hersebom, turning toward

Katrina.
"Very true, the poor little one," answered the good dame, drying her
eyes, which this recital had filled with tears. "And he is our child now,
for we have adopted him. I do not know why Mr. Malarius should say
anything to the contrary."
"It is true," said Hersebom, and I do not see that it concerns any one but
ourselves."
"That is so," said the doctor, in a conciliatory tone, "but you must not
accuse Mr. Malarius of being indiscreet. I was struck with the
physiognomy of the child, and I begged my friend confidentially to
relate his history. He told me that Erik believed himself to be your son,
and that every one in Noroe had forgotten how he had become yours.
Therefore, you see, I took care not to speak until the children had been
sent to bed. You say that he was about seven or eight months old when
you found him?"
"About that; he had already four teeth, the little brigand, and I assure
you that it was not long before he began to use them," said Hersebom,
laughing.
"Oh, he was a superb child," said Katrinn, eagerly. "He was so white,
and strong, and plump; and such arms and legs. You should have seen
them!"
"How was he dressed?" asked Dr. Schwaryencrona.
Hersebom did not answer, but his wife was less discreet.
"Like a little prince," she answered. "Imagine a robe of piquè, trimmed
all over with lace, a pelisse of quilted satin, a cloak of white velvet, and
a little cap; the son of a king could not have more. Everything he had
was beautiful. But you can see for yourself, for I have kept them all just
as they were. You may be sure that we did not dress the baby in them.
Oh, no; I put Otto's little garments on him, which I had laid away, and
which also served, later on, for Vanda. But his outfit is here, and I will

show it to you."
While she was speaking, the worthy woman knelt down before a large
oaken chest, with an antique lock, and after lifting the lid, began
searching the compartments.
She drew out, one by one, all the garments of which she had spoken,
and displayed them with pride before the eyes of the doctor. She also
showed the linen, which was exquisitely fine, a little quilt of silk, and a
pair of white merino boots. All the articles were marked with the
initials "E.D.," elegantly embroidered, as the doctor saw at a glance.
"'E.D.;' is that why you named the child Erik?" he asked.
"Precisely," answered Katrina, who it was evident enjoyed this
exhibition, while her husband's face grew more gloomy. "See," she said,
"this is the most beautiful of all. He wore it around his neck."
And she drew from its