So it was decided to my great joy that we should travel all the way round by land, through Sweden, through a little bit of Lapland, just touching the Arctic Circle, through Finland and so to Petrograd.  The thought of the places we had to go through thrilled me to the core—­Karungi, Haparanda, Lapptrask, Torneo—­the very names are as honey to the lips.

* * * * *

One might have expected that all the kindness and hospitality would cease on the departure of the majority of the party, but it was not so.  Invitations of all kinds were showered on us.  Lunches were the chief form of entertainment and very interesting and delightful they were.  There was a lunch at the British Legation, one at the French Legation, one at the Belgian Legation where the minister was so pathetically glad of any crumbs of news of his beloved country; a delightful dinner to meet Prince Gustav of Denmark, an invitation to meet Princess Mary of Greece, another lunch with Madame Tscherning, the president of the Danish Council of Nurses, and the “Florence Nightingale of Denmark.”  Altogether we should have been thoroughly spoilt if it had lasted any longer!  One of the most delightful invitations was to stay at Vidbek for the remainder of our time, a dear little seaside place with beautiful woods, just then in their full glory of autumnal colouring.  It was within easy reach of Copenhagen and we went in almost every day, for one reason or another, and grew very fond of the beautiful old city.

The time came for us to say good-bye.  I was very sorry indeed to leave dear little Denmark where we had had such a warm welcome.  Denmark is, of course, officially, absolutely neutral, but she cannot forget the ties of blood and friendship that bind the two island countries together.  They are indeed a splendid people to be kin to, tall and fair and strong, as becomes an ancient race of sea-kings.  I only hope that it may be my good fortune, some day, to be able to repay in some small measure all the wealth of kindness so freely poured out for us.

On Saturday, October 24, at 7 P. M. we started for Lapland!  Many of our very kind friends came down to the station to give us a good send-off and with last presents of flowers, fruit, chocolates and papers.  We crossed first to Malmoe on the ferry, which took about an hour and a half.  It was very calm and clear, and we watched the little twinkling lights of Denmark gradually disappear and the lights of Sweden gradually emerge in exchange.  At Malmoe there was a customs examination which was not very severe, as our things were all marked with a huge Red Cross, and then we got into a funny little horse tram that conveyed us to the station.