2
Day and night, the northward flight proceeded.
There were so many birds that they were quite bewildering to see and, as time passed and they neared their destination, their longing increased and they flew as though there were fire under their wings. The aunt never left the young couple and was as light and swift as they and as happy as if she herself were going to be married for the eighth time.
At last they reached the Faroes, which were their home.
They screamed and quacked for joy when they saw the rocks rise from the sea and their wings beat with renewed vigour, tired though they were by the long journey. They fell upon the cliffs as upon a prey and soon there was not a spot left but a happy bird sat in it and flapped her wings and screamed.
“Now I’ll show you a good place for a nest,” said auntie to the young pair, who sat exchanging loving looks. “Come with me to the other side of the rock.”
They flew with her and reached the place where the man to whom the rock belonged had put little wooden boxes for the birds. There was just one empty one left and the bridegroom at once took possession.
“Here you will be able to sit on the eggs safely and comfortably, my darling,” he said.
“Yes—and you too,” she answered. “Don’t you remember that you promised to help me with my work?”
“I should think I did!” said he and kissed her.
“Lord, how charming!” said auntie.
“And I don’t want to live in that nasty box,” said the young duck. “I was looking forward most awfully to collecting sea-weed and straw and heather, as you told me you used to with your former wife. And that’s what I want to do also.”
“Be easy, my dear little girl,” he said. “Of course, we will line the box a bit, but let us be glad that there is something to start on. Remember that we have a long life before us, full of work and happiness, and don’t let us begin by doing more than we shall be able to keep up.”
“Lord, how he lies!” said auntie and cast up her eyes to the sky. “But how lovely it is to listen to!”
“What did you say?” asked the little duck.
“I was saying that your future husband has the loveliest green neck in all the Faroes,” said auntie. “I should like to give it a little bite. But now I will leave you to your happiness.”
Then she flew quacking over the rock and splashed into the water with the others. The two young people began to line their box with what they could find. Soon the wedding took place, with mirth and pomp, and thousands of other young eider-duck were married on the same day.
“Lord, how beautiful it is to be young!” said auntie, who was paying wedding-visits with a swarm of other old ladies.