They were rather late for that, the pastor said; he didn’t know whether the mail would reach both places before Sunday.

“I am sorry for that,” said Uli; “I hadn’t thought of it.”

Freneli acted as, if she had nothing to do with it, and talked quite interestedly with the pastor’s wife about the flax, which had seemed so fine and still yielded so little when they combed it.  When the formalities were over the pastor said to Uli, “And so you’re to be tenant on Slough Farm?  I’m glad of it.  You’re not like so many servants, that don’t even look human, to say nothing of Christian; you act like a man and like a Christian too.”

“Yes,” said Uli, “why should I forget God?  I need Him more than He does me, and if I forget Him can I hope that He will think of me when He bestows His gifts and His mercies?”

“Yes, Uli, that’s fine,” said the pastor, “and I think He has not forgotten you either.  You have a good farm and I think you’re getting a good wife.”

Here the maid came in with the plates to set the table.  Freneli noticed it and stood up to go, although the hostess told them not to hurry, or, better still, to have supper with them.  But Freneli said they must go or her aunt would think something had happened, thanked the pastor and asked him to promise that he would come to see them, although they were only leaseholders.  They could always give them a cup of coffee, if they would be satisfied with that.  Her heart always rejoiced to see him, even from a distance.  Wishing them happiness and blessing in the holy state of matrimony, the pastor himself lighted them out with candle held high, and bade them to wish good evening to aunt and uncle for him. * * *

Nearer, and nearer came the fateful wedding-day.  As on the day before some holy Sunday, when solemn feelings almost irresistibly make their way into the heart, almost as on the eve of her confirmation, so Freneli felt on the eve of her wedding.  Thoughtfully and seriously she did her housework; perhaps she had never spoken so little as on that day.  At times she felt like weeping, and still she had a friendly smile for all she met.  Then again she would sink into deep reflection, in which she forgot place and time and everything; she knew nothing of herself, nothing of this brooding.  Then when some one spoke to her, she would start up as out of deep sleep; it seemed to her as if she had only just recovered her eyes and ears, as if she were falling back upon the earth from another world.

As they were sitting at supper, such an unexpected crash was heard on the hill near the house that all started up.  It was the men and some of the day-laborers, who wished to proclaim to the world the glory of their new masters.  There lies hidden in this shooting and banging at weddings a deep significance; the only pity is that so many a human life is endangered by it.  No hateful horn-blowing was heard; no horrible serenades, such as envy or enmity offer to bridal couples, disturbed the peaceful evening. * * *