In the stone remained the impression of where he had sat; the hard stone had been softer than the hearts of the rebellious people.
This, and similar legends, the coachman knew how to relate; he was born in this neighborhood, but not in Vissenberg itself, where they make the false notes.

[Author's Note: A number of years ago a band of men were seized in Vissenberg who had forged bank-notes.] Every legend gains in interest when one hears it in the place with which it is connected.
Funen is especially rich in such relations.
"That cairn elevates itself at Christmas upon four red posts, and one can then see the dance and merriment of the goblins within.

Through that peasant's farm there drives every night a glowing coach, drawn by four coal-black horses.

Where we now see a pond overgrown with reeds and roots there once stood a church, but it sank as the godless desecrated it; at midnight we still hear their sighs, and hymns of repentance." It is true that the narrator mixed up together certain leg-ends which related to other places in the country--that he took little springs, and mingled his own thoughts with his relations; but Otto listened to him with great interest.

The discourse turned also upon the family at the hall.
"Yes, they are very much liked!" said the coachman; "the gentleman may believe we know how to value them." "And now, which of the young ladies is the best ?" asked Otto.
"Yes, every one is best served by Miss Louise," returned the fellow.
"Miss Sophie is the prettiest," said Otto.
"Yes, she is also very good,--she belongs to the learned ones! She knows German, that she does! she can act comedy very excellently! I once got permission with the rest of the people to be up-stairs in the sitting-room--we stood behind the family; she did not manage her affairs at all badly." However much the old legends interested Otto, it seemed as though he listened with more pleasure to the simple reasonings of the coachman upon the family who were become so dear to him.