“I have read all your books with the most intense pleasure.”
“O, you are too kind, Captain Kendall,” replied the genial author, smiling all over his face, and once more grasping his hand as before.
“Mrs. Kendall,” added Paul, presenting Grace.
“I am so pleased to see you! You are very kind to take so much trouble to visit me.”
“Indeed, sir, you are very kind to permit us to trouble you, when you are so busy,” continued Paul.
“O, I have plenty of time to see my good friends.”
“In America we love your books, and they are in all our libraries and most of our houses.”
“You are so kind to speak so pleasantly of my works!” replied Mr. Andersen, grasping Paul’s hand again.
“We value them very highly.”
The conversation continued for a few moments, in which Paul and the doctor expressed the high appreciation of the reading public of the great writer’s works. At least a dozen times more he grasped the hand of the speaker with both his. Mr. Andersen is a tall gentleman, with a thin face,—the features of which are far from handsome,—and iron-gray hair. His countenance is always covered with smiles when he speaks, and his whole manner is child-like and simple. He is full of the love of God and of man, which seems to shine out in his face, and to be the interpretation of his ever-present smile. His dress was scrupulously neat and nice in every detail.