After the service we were all received at Brigham Young's house, where
he seemed to be expecting us. He looked like any old Vermont farmer,
with his white fringe of beard under his fat, puffy cheeks, and his
thick, jet-black eyebrows over his keen eyes. He talked to us about his
mission in this world and told us about the hardships his people had
borne when they came to St. Joseph, which was the first place they
"struck" after their tramp over the desert, where most of the men died.
It was there he received a mysterious message from on high telling him
that bigamy would be pardonable under the circumstances. He told Johan
that the Danes were some of his best subjects. Johan made his most
diplomatic bow, as if he thought that this compliment to his nation
ought to be acknowledged. We heard after that Brigham Young had said
this because the Danes were known to take the most wives and ask no
questions.

It seems that B.Y. is almost a widower now, poor man. He has only
twenty-seven wives. Amelia reigns supreme just now; the others sit
forlorn in rocking-chairs in their empty parlors, biting their nails
and chewing the bitter gum of envy.

Johan thought we ought perhaps to demand an official "audience" of
Amelia, but the others repulsed this inspiration. It was amusing to
walk by Brigham Young's big house, a long rambling building with
innumerable doors. Each wife has an establishment of her own,
consisting of parlor, bedroom, and a front door, the key of which she
keeps in her pocket.

We walked about after luncheon, and Colonel Hooker drove us through the
streets and up the hill to show us the view, which was magnificent
beyond words.