the nut cracked directly. But there was not much kernel to be seen; it was
what we should call hollow or worm-eaten, and looked as if it had been
filled with tobacco or rich black earth. “It is just what I expected!”
exclaimed Ib. “How should there be room in a little nut like this for the best
thing of all? Christina will find her two nuts just the same; there will be
neither fine clothes or a golden carriage in them.”
Winter came; and the new year, and indeed many years passed away;
until Ib was old enough to be confirmed, and, therefore, he went during a
whole winter to the clergyman of the nearest village to be prepared.
One day, about this time, the boatman paid a visit to Ib’s parents, and told
them that Christina was going to service, and that she had been remarkably
fortunate in obtaining a good place, with most respectable people. “Only
think,” he said, “She is going to the rich innkeeper’s, at the hotel in
Herning, many miles west from here. She is to assist the landlady in the
housekeeping; and, if afterwards she behaves well and remains to be
confirmed, the people will treat her as their own daughter.”
So Ib and Christina took leave of each other. People already called them
“the betrothed,” and at parting the girl showed Ib the two nuts, which she
had taken care of ever since the time that they lost themselves in the wood;
and she told him also that the little wooden shoes he once carved for her
when he was a boy, and gave her as a present, had been carefully kept in a
drawer ever since. And so they parted.
After Ib’s confirmation, he remained at home with his mother, for he had
become a clever shoemaker, and in summer managed the farm for her quite
alone. His father had been dead some time, and his mother kept no farm
servants. Sometimes, but very seldom, he heard of Christina, through a
postillion or eel-seller who was passing. But she was well off with the rich
innkeeper; and after being confirmed she wrote a letter to her father, in
which was a kind message to Ib and his mother. In this letter, she mentioned
that her master and mistress had made her a present of a beautiful new
dress, and some nice under-clothes. This was, of course, pleasant news.
