"Dear ones," she answered, gasping. "Oh, what stairs! I hope I shan't die from apoplexy, but I feel very much like it now. Talk about sea-sickness indeed! Stair-sickness is much worse! Ak, ak! Give me some aqua vitæ or some mysost instantly! Ak, ak, why did I ever come? Oh yes, I know why I came. No use writing and inquiring. Could have got no news out of an iceberg. So I came to see for myself. And what do I see? By St Olaf! I see daylight—full daylight! Gerda and Ejnar said I was not to interfere. Interfere! Of course I shall! It is the duty of every woman not to mind her own business! Oh, those stairs! I believe there were nearly a hundred of them! Dear ones, dear ones, what a happy old woman I am! If I don't die from apoplexy, I shall cry from happiness! What it is to be a Viking...!"
THE END.
FOOTNOTES:
[A] Kjaere, dear one.
[B] Mange tak, many thanks.
[C]All the spellings and expressions are Norwegian and Danish, and are therefore not to be mistaken for incorrect German.
[D] Sorenskriver, magistrate. He would be addressed always by his title.
[E]Stakkar is a very usual expression of endearment, and means "poor dear."
[F]Mange tak, many thanks.
[G]The general name for the legendary "mountain people."