Norse Tales and Sketches by Alexander Lange Kielland
page 33 of 105 (31%)
page 33 of 105 (31%)
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impending.
There fell such a sudden stillness upon the table, that one could hear the lively chatter of the ladies, who, in accordance with Norse custom, were dining in the adjoining rooms. At length the silence reached even them, and they crowded in the doorway to listen. Only the hostess held back, sending her husband an anxious look. 'Ah, dear me!' she sighed, half aloud, 'he is sure to make a muddle of it. He has already made all his speeches; what would he be at now?' And he certainly did not begin well. He stammered, cleared his throat, got entangled among the usual toast expressions, such as 'I will not fail to--ahem--I am impelled to express my, my--that is, I would beg you, gentlemen, to assist me in--' The gentlemen sat and stared down into their glasses, ready to empty them upon the least hint of a conclusion. But none came. On the contrary, the speaker recovered himself. For something really lay at his heart. His joy and pride over his son, who had come home sound and well after having passed a respectable examination, the judge's flattering speech, the good cheer, the wine, the festive mood--all this put words into his mouth. And when he got over the fatal introductory phrases, the words came more and more fluently. It was the toast of 'The Young.' The speaker dwelt upon our responsibility towards children, and the many sorrows--but also the many |
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