And when the Mother was now driving with Eric and Roland, the thought occurred to her that she was not making these visits on her own account; but she was just as happy in making them as the representative of her friendly host.
Roland wished them to stop as they were going along, for they met Claus, the field-guard. Roland introduced him to Eric's mother; she extended her hand, and said she would soon give him a call.
Claus, looking very much gratified, and pointing to Roland, replied:—
"Yes, yes, if I had to turn out a grandmother for him, it would be nobody else but you."
They laughed, and drove on. When they reached the town, the bells of the newly-erected Protestant church were just ringing. It stood upon a hill, from which there was a wide view of the country around.
The Mother stopped, and went with Eric and Roland into the church.
Roland had never been in a Protestant church while service was going on. The Mother requested him not to go in now, when she heard him say this, but to proceed directly with Eric to the town; he was bent, however, upon remaining with her.
They entered the simple, plain building just as the congregation was finishing the hymn. The Mother was pained to hear a discourse on eternal punishment, delivered in a high-pitched voice, and regretted in her own mind that she had yielded to Roland.
After they had taken a survey of the cheering landscape on coming out, the Mother took Roland's hand, saying:—
"When you are prepared for it, I shall make you acquainted with one of your countrymen, from whom you can get higher views."