tales from two hemispheres[1].(两个半球的故事)-第42章
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where no world…old prejudice frowned upon the union of two kindred
souls。 They would wait in patience and silence until spring； then come
the fresh winds from the ocean； and； with them； the birds of passage which
awake the longings in the Norsernen's breasts； and the American vessels
which give courage to many a sinking spirit； strength to the wearied arm；
hope to the hopeless heart。
During that winter Truls and Borghild seldom saw each other。 The
parish was filled with rumors； and after the Christmas holiday it was told
for certain that the proud maiden of Skogli had been promised in marriage
to Syvert Stein。 It was the general belief that the families had made the
match； and that Borghild； at least； had hardly had any voice in the matter。
Another report was that she had flatly refused to listen to any proposal
from that quarter； and that； when she found that resistance was vain； she
had cried three days and three nights； and refused to take any food。
When this rumor reached the pastor's ear； he pronounced it an idle tale；
〃for；〃 said he； 〃Borghild has always been a proper and well…behaved
maiden； and she knows that she must honor father and mother； that it may
be well with her； and she live long upon the land。〃
But Borghild sat alone in her gable window and looked longingly
toward the ocean。 The glaciers glittered； the rivers swelled； the buds of
the forest burst； and great white sails began to glimmer on the far western
horizon。
If Truls； the Nameless； as scoffers were wont to call him； had been a
greater personage in the valley； it would； no doubt； have shocked the
gossips to know that one fine morning he sold his cow； his gun and his dog；
and wrapped sixty silver dollars in a leathern bag； which he sewed fast to
the girdle he wore about his waist。 That same night some one was heard
playing wildly up in the birch copse above the Skogli mansion； now it
sounded like a wail of distress； then like a fierce； defiant laugh； and now
again the music seemed to hush itself into a heart…broken； sorrowful moan；
and the people crossed themselves； and whispered： 〃Our Father；〃 but
Borghild sat at her gable window and listened long to the weird strain。
The midnight came； but she stirred not。 With the hour of midnight the
music ceased。 From the windows of hall and kitchen the light streamed
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out into the damp air； and the darkness stood like a wall on either side；
within； maids and lads were busy brewing； baking； and washing； for in a
week there was to be a wedding on the farm。
The week went and the wedding came。 Truls had not closed his eyes
all that night； and before daybreak he sauntered down along the beach and
gazed out upon the calm fjord； where the white…winged sea…birds whirled
in great airy surges around the bare crags。 Far up above the noisy throng
an ospray sailed on the blue expanse of the sky； and quick as thought
swooped down upon a halibut which had ventured to take a peep at the
rising sun。 The huge fish struggled for a moment at the water's edge；
then； with a powerful stroke of its tail； which sent the spray hissing
through the air； dived below the surface。 The bird of prey gave a loud
scream； flapped fiercely with its broad wings； and for several minutes a
thickening cloud of applauding ducks and seagulls and showers of spray
hid the combat from the observer's eye。 When the birds scattered； the
ospray had vanished； and the waters again glittered calmly in the morning
sun。 Truls stood long； vacantly staring out upon the scene of the conflict；
and many strange thoughts whirled through his head。
〃Halloo； fiddler！〃 cried a couple of lads who had come to clear the
wedding boats； 〃you are early on foot to…day。 Here is a scoop。 Come
on and help us bail the boats。〃
Truls took the scoop； and looked at it as if he had never seen such a
thing before； he moved about heavily； hardly knowing what he did； but
conscious all the while of his own great misery。 His limbs seemed half
frozen； and a dull pain gathered about his head and in his breastin fact；
everywhere and nowhere。
About ten o'clock the bridal procession descended the slope to the
fjord。 Syvert Stein； the bridegroom； trod the earth with a firm； springy
step； and spoke many a cheery word to tho bride； who walked； silent and
with downcast eyes； at his side。 She wore the ancestral bridal crown on
her head； and the little silver disks around its edge tinkled and shook as
she walked。 They hailed her with firing of guns and loud hurrahs as she
stepped into the boat； still she did not raise her eyes； but remained silent。
A small cannon； also an heir…loom in the family； was placed amidships；
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and Truls； with his violin； took his seat in the prow。 A large solitary
cloud； gold…rimmed but with thunder in its breast； sailed across the sky
and threw its shadow over the bridal boat as it was pushed out from the
shore； and the shadow fell upon the bride's countenance too； and when she
lifted it； the mother of the bridegroom； who sat opposite her； shrank back；
for the countenance looked hard； as if carved in stonein the eyes a mute；
hopeless appeal； on the lips a frozen prayer。 The shadow of thunder upon
a life that was openingit was an ill omen； and its gloom sank into the
hearts of the wedding guests。 They spoke in undertones and threw
pitying glances at the bride。 Then at length Syvert Stein lost his patience。
〃In sooth；〃 cried he； springing up from his seat； 〃where is to…day the
cheer that is wont to abide in the Norseman's breast？ Methinks I see but
sullen airs and ill…boding glances。 Ha； fiddler； now move your strings
lustily！ None of your funeral airs； my lad； but a merry tune that shall
sing through marrow and bone； and make the heart leap in the bosom。〃
Truls heard the words； and in a slow； mechanical way he took the
violin out of its case and raised it to his chin。 Syvert in the mean while
put a huge silver beer…jug to his mouth； and； pledging his guests； emptied
it even to the dregs。 But the bride's cheek was pale； and it was so still in
the boat that every man could hear his own breathing。
〃Ha； to…day is Syvert Stein's wedding…day！〃 shouted the bridegroom；
growing hot with wrath。 〃Let us try if the iron voice of the cannon can
wake my guests from their slumber。〃
He struck a match and put it to the touch… hole of the cannon； a long
boom rolled away over the surface of the waters and startled the echoes of
the distant glaciers。 A faint hurrah sounded from the nearest craft； but
there came no response from the bridal boat。 Syvert pulled the powder…
horn from his pocket； laughed a wild laugh； and poured the whole contents
of the horn into the mouth of the cannon。
〃Now may the devil care for his ow
