In these days the pastor gave a gentle hint to his wife, that the time for Erick's change to the institute, for which the Mayor also had offered his help, was fast approaching.

But the lady hardly let him finish his sentence for excitement, and answered at once: "How can you even think of such a thing! In the first place; we must wait for the answer from Denmark, before we do anything; and secondly, the whole Christmas joy would be spoiled completely for the children, through such news; thirdly, we ourselves, you and I, could not separate ourselves so suddenly and unprepared from a child who is as dear to us as one of our own--" "Fourthly, 'Lizebeth will give notice at once," continued the pastor, "for she now is the worst of all, from all that I see.

One thing is sure, dear wife, if the little fellow was not so guileless and had not such an exceptionally good disposition, you women would have ruined him so that he never could get straightened again, for you, one and all, spoil him quite terribly." "It is just this harmless and exceptionally well-disposed character of the child which wins all hearts, so that one cannot help treating him with peculiar love.

No talk of sending Erick away before Easter can be considered, and much can happen before then, my dear husband." "Oh, yes," the latter agreed, "only do not look for an answer from Denmark, for it would be in vain.

The guilelessness in that address went a little too far." But the pastor's wife was contented that another respite had been granted, and she hoped on.
The winter passed, Easter was approaching, but no answer came.