Helga had filled the porcelain pipe after dinner, and Mrs. Hardy and Pastor Lindal sat in a garden seat in the grounds at Rosendal, the day following the decision of Mrs. Hardy's views for her son's wedding.
"We should wish to obey any wishes you may have, Herr Pastor, as to the wedding," said Mrs. Hardy, after a general conversation with him.
"John will remain at Rosendal for a month, and then go to England for the winter, and come to you again in May."
The Pastor took several long pulls at his pipe and created a cloud of smoke. At last he said—
"I have not thought of it, Mrs. Hardy." And it was plain he had not.
"I will, then, say what I think," said she. "The wedding should be at your church; and will you marry them?"
"Certainly; it is my intention," he replied.
"The wedding to be as quiet as possible," continued Mrs. Hardy, "and proprietor Jensen's daughters to be bridesmaids; and John has an old college friend who will come here to be his best man, and will return with me to England in the yacht, from Esbjerg."
Mrs. Hardy's practical common sense impressed the Pastor; he assented sadly.
"There is nothing to mourn over or regret, Herr Pastor, and you will feel the constant joy of knowing that she is happy with the man of her choice, and that as long as I live I will watch over her as my own; also the pleasure of looking forward to her stay in Denmark every summer will occupy and interest you."