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Mari, Our Little Norwegian Cousin

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<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> <div class='chaptertitle'>THE CHRISTENING</div> "O mother, I have something to tell you. I have just been down to the village, and I heard there that neighbour Hans's wife has a new baby. It is a boy. Every one says he is a fine little fellow," said Mari, one beautiful afternoon. "Dear me! dear me! that is fine news, truly," said her mother. "I must make her a dish of my best porridge and take it to her in the morning." "Did everybody remember you when I was born, mother?" "Yes, dear, the people of the village seemed to vie with each other in preparing a dish of flödegrod. It did taste so good! It was hard to tell whose was the best. You must learn[37] how to make this cream porridge now, Mari; you are quite old enough. You will never be thought a good housekeeper if you cannot make smooth flödegrod." "The baby is to be christened next week. Everybody will be there, of course, mother." The farm was only half a mile from a little fishing village on the shore of a deep bay. Such a long, narrow bay is called a fiord. There are many fiords in Norway. There were only about a dozen cottages in the village, but in their midst was a tiny little church and a small building used as the schoolhouse. But school was not kept there all the year round. Half of the time the master taught in this place, and the rest of the year he spent in another little village a few miles up the coast. Neither of them was large enough to pay for a teacher the whole year round. The children, however, were glad to work hard while he was among them. They loved[38] their teacher and their school, and they learned quickly. Every one in the place was busy now, getting ready for the christening. At last came the great day, as bright and sunny a one as could be wished. All the work on the farm was stopped and every one in the family was dressed in his best. Mari had a fresh white linen kerchief tied under her chin, and also a finely starched apron. Her plump little arms were bare. Her stomacher was worked with bright beads on scarlet cloth. She had embroidered it all herself and she could not help being proud of it. But perhaps you do not know what a stomacher is. It is a piece of cloth worn as an ornament on the waist and over the stomach. Mari's mother wore one also, but hers was sparkling with silver trimmings that had belonged to her great-grandmother. [39] How fine the father looked in his short coat and knee-breeches. He wore a bright red vest, over which hung his long light beard. But Mari's mother was the prettiest sight of all. Her muslin apron was trimmed with three rows of lovely open-work. Her scarlet waist was finished with bands of black velvet, with the beautiful stomacher in front of that. She had loose white linen sleeves, and such an odd cap. You never saw one like it, I am sure. It was made of crimped white muslin with a wide rim over the forehead, with a narrow band beneath that hid her hair. The corners fell down behind nearly to the waist. Her silver ornaments must also be mentioned. They were really beautiful, and were hundreds of years old. <div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i051.jpg" width-obs="337" height-obs="500" alt="Group of people standing under a lych gate in front of a church" /> THE CHRISTENING.</div> Ole looked fine, too, in a suit much like his father's and a little round cap, fitting tightly to his head. You would scarcely have known the family in their holiday dress. [40] They stepped off gaily, and soon reached the village. They arrived at the church just as the christening party reached it. "Do look at the dear baby, Ole," said Mari. "Isn't he lovely?" The nurse was carrying him. He was so swaddled in his fine clothes that you would have almost thought he was an Indian pappoose. Only his face could be seen. The swaddling bands were of many colours,—red, green, and white, and there was a large white satin bow, of course. Every Norse baby wears such a bow to its christening. And now the flock of people followed the minister into the little church. They passed up to the front and gathered around the altar. "The baby behaves finely, doesn't he?" whispered Ole. "I am real proud of him because he is to have the same name as myself. Did you hear the minister say Ole, Mari?" [41] "Yes, but look now. The baby's father and mother and his godparents are all going up behind the altar. What is that for?" "They are laying presents there for the minister. Of course they want to thank him for the christening. I declare, Mari, our baby was christened only last year, and you have forgotten what people do at such times." "I was so excited then, Ole, I don't believe I noticed it. But come, everybody is going out of the church. Now we shall have the best time, for you know we are invited to the party." The building was soon empty, and all the people started gaily for the home of the new baby. The minister went with them, of course. He looked very dignified in his long black gown, with a great white ruff about his neck. He loved his people, and took part in all their merry-makings. Ole and Mari were very fond of him. They ran to his side as[42] soon as they got outdoors. Ole took one hand and Mari the other. It was only a few steps to the little home of the fisherman. Everything had been made ready for the company. The table was spread with the good things that the Norse people love best. In the centre of the table stood the old silver bowl from which every one must drink to the health of the new baby. This bowl was the most precious thing in the simple home. It had not been used before since the parents of the baby came here and held their wedding-feast. There is much eating, and frequent handshaking. It seemed as though the company could only show how loving they felt toward one another by the hearty shakes which they gave so often. When every one had eaten so much that he could hold no more with comfort, the table[43] was quickly cleared, and a young man brought out a fiddle from the corner of the room. "Now for some of our Norse songs," cried one of the company. "Good, good," cried all, and soon the room was filled with lively music. The new baby behaved very well, and went to sleep in the midst of it. But Mari's baby brother, who had come to the party with the rest of the family, was having too good a time to shut his eyes for a moment. It was not until the dancing began that his little head commenced to nod and his eyes could keep open no longer. The older folk and children sat against the wall and talked together while the younger people waltzed around the room. "Gustav, we want to see you and Frigga in the Spring Dance," said one of the party after a while. "O yes, Gustav, you can both do it so[44] well," cried another. "We must see it before we go home." Gustav stepped out into the middle of the room and was followed by the young girl whom he was soon to marry. Her cheeks grew rosy as every one looked at her. She was a pretty girl, and her long, fair braids reached way below her waist. And now the fiddler started up again with a lively tune. Who could keep still now? Surely Gustav could not. He took hold of one of Frigga's hands, and away they spun around the room. But it was not a simple waltz such as you have seen. The young girl held her other hand above her head and showed her grace as she kept moving around Gustav; she kept perfect time and step as she did so. Other odd dances followed the Spring Dance. Ole's and Mari's eyes were wide open with delight as they watched their older friends.[45] Whenever one of the dances came to an end, there was a general shaking of hands in which the children joined with a right good will. The time to go home came all too soon. But as it was near the middle of summer, it was not dark even now at ten o'clock in the evening. "Gud nag, gud nag," cried every one, after they had drunk again to the health of the baby and his proud parents, and the hands of all had been heartily shaken once more. <hr class="chap" />[46] <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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