few weeks at the very longest.

"My dear Hulda, I trust to find you looking even prettier
than at my departure, and in the best of health, you and your
mother as well, also that hardy, brave comrade, my cousin
Joel, your brother, who asks nothing better than to become
mine.

"On receipt of this, give my very best respects to Dame
Hansen--I can see her now, sitting in her wooden arm-chair by
the old stove in the big hall--and tell her I love her with a
twofold love, for she is my aunt as well as your mother.

"Above all, don't take the trouble to come to Bergen to meet
me, for it is quite possible that the 'Viking' will arrive at
an earlier date than I have mentioned. However that may be, my
dear Hulda can count upon seeing me at Dal twenty-four hours
after we land. Don't be too much surprised if I should arrive
considerably ahead of time.

"We have had a pretty rough time of it, this past winter, the
weather having been more severe than any our fishermen have
ever encountered; but fortunately fish have been plenty.
The 'Viking' brings back nearly five thousand quintals,
deliverable at Bergen, and already sold by the efforts of Help
Bros. And last, but not least, we have succeeded in selling
at a handsome profit, and I, who have a share in the venture,
will realize something quite handsome from it.

"Besides, even if I should not bring a small competence home