"Life Insurance, was it not?" replied his father.
"That's it, father, and Ragnar also told me that even here in Sweden, gold might be obtained from England on such terms. Now, if we could find some one who understood this matter, and would undertake to draw up the proper writings, I would willingly give my life as security, and then you see, father, I should be just the same as so much ready money."
"My good son, your words are well intended; but it is not as you think in relation to Life Insurance."
"O, that is too bad, father, or you might have received a large sum of money when I am dead."
"My life, I hope, will be finished before yours," said his father, "I am old, and you are young."
"True, I am young in years; but lately, yes, last Friday, while I passed through the church yard, I heard a voice, and that voice I believed."
"What ideas you invent!" exclaimed Magde, frightened for the first time, as she observed Carl's hollow cheeks and sunken eye, "but what did the voice say?"
"'Carl, Carl, Carl,' it said, calling my name three times, 'you will not live long.'"
"Your brain is weak, my boy, because you have worked too hard. When your body has received rest, and rest it must have, you will feel much better. But tell me, Carl, what you thought when you imagined you heard the voice."
"I did not think, but merely replied, 'indeed.'"