CHAPTER V.

Hulda was considerably surprised at the persistency with which Ole alluded in his letters to the fortune that was to be his on his return.  Upon what did the young man base his expectations?  Hulda could not imagine, and she was very anxious to know.  Was this anxiety due solely to an idle curiosity on her part?  By no means, for the secret certainly affected her deeply.  Not that she was ambitious, this modest and honest young girl; nor did she in looking forward to the future ever aspire to what we call wealth.  Ole’s affection satisfied, and would always satisfy her.  If wealth came, she would welcome it with joy.  If it did not come, she would still be content.

This is precisely what Hulda and Joel said to each other the day after Ole’s last letter reached Dal.  They agreed perfectly upon this subject, as upon all others, by the way.  And then Joel added: 

“No; it is impossible, little sister.  You certainly must be keeping something from me.”

“Keeping something from you!”

“Yes; for I can not believe that Ole went away without giving you some clew to his secret.”

“Did he say anything to you about it?”

“No; but you and I are not one and the same person.”

“Yes, we are, brother.”

“I am not Ole’s betrothed, at all events.”

“Almost,” said the young girl; “and if any misfortune should befall him, and he should not return from this voyage, you would be as inconsolable as I would be, and your tears would flow quite as freely as mine.”

“Really, little sister.  I forbid you to even speak of such a thing,” replied Joel.  “Ole not return from his last voyage to the great fishing banks!  What can have put such an idea into your head?  You surely can not mean what you say, Hulda!”

“No, certainly not.  And yet, I do not know.  I can not drive away certain presentiments—­the result, perhaps, of bad dreams.”

“Dreams are only dreams.”

“True, brother, but where do they come from?”

“From ourselves, not from heaven.  You are anxious, and so your fears haunt you in your slumber.  Besides, it is almost always so when one has earnestly desired a thing and the time when one’s desires are to be realized is approaching.”

“I know it, Joel.”

“Really, I thought you were much more sensible, little sister.  Yes, and more energetic.  Here you have just received a letter from Joel saying that the ‘Viking’ will return before the end of the month, and it is now the 19th of April, and consequently none too soon for you to begin your preparations for the wedding.”

“Do you really think so, Joel?”

“Certainly I think so, Hulda.  I even think that we have delayed too long already.  Think of it.  We must have a wedding that will not only create a sensation in Dal, but in all the neighboring villages.  I intend it shall be the grandest one ever known in the district, so I am going to set to work immediately.”