Professor Hieronimus

Professor Hieronimus / translated from the Danish of Amalie Skram
by Alice Stronach and G.B. Jacobi.

Skram, Amalie, 1846-1905.
London ; John Lane, The Bodley Head, 1899.
http://hdl.handle.net/2027/uva.x000367723
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18
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PROFESSOR
HIERONIMUS
TRANSLATED FROM THE
DANISH OF AMALIE SKRAM
■._i:..-• " -- v..*^- ..•■'■
•
BY ALICE STRONACH
.■..•lij. AND G. B. JACOB
I
':r.->.r,-.
••-■■■:■ -
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JOHN LANE: THE BODLEY

I
HEAD: LONDON AND NEW

YORK: MDCCCXCIX
All rights rtstrvtd

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u.i
PREFACE
' In tlterc are only two genuine
the whole of Europe
and honest naturalists, and they tire Entile Zola and
Amalie Skram.' ,•■
,!,
7/fr« Norwegian writer whose, name is thus boldly
coupled with Zola's in Laura Marholm Hansson's
J. Miller & Son, PritUert, Edinburfr
book on Modern Women known to few English
is
. readers. In her own country Fru Skram has a pro
minent place among Scandinavian realists.
•
The circumstances Fru Skratns
of
early life were
favourable to her development as a naturalist. When
quite young, she married a sea-baptain, and, leaving
her native Bergen, went with :mr husband on a
voyage round the world. She saw life — man's life —
on board ship and on land. Later, when she re
produced the impressions thus gained in her novel
Two Friends, she made her rcadfrs sceptical as to
the real sex the author.
of
When a sea-faring life became' monotonous, Fru
■
Milller, as she then was, separated from her husband,
settled in Christiauia, and there studied social por-
■ ,-:
vi PREFACE PREFACE vii
, blcms. 7%m resulted in a problem novel Constance astic in his praise of Fru Skram' s studies from the
Ring, in which, according to Laura Hansson, the life of her native Bergen, of the people in their daily
deepest and most complicated moments of human life lives, their drudgery, their sin, their self-delusion,
were treated with a candour hitherto undreamt of by i their lough endurance.
'
any of the numerous race of Scandinavian authoresses Bj'Srnson describes Professor Hieronimus as 'an
i
produced by the woman's right movement in Norway. epoch-making work.' 'It is,' he says, ' the first time
It was at this time that Amalie Miiller tnade the that a great author in full possession of her mental
acquaintance of Erik Shram, a Danish author and powers has had the opportunity of making such a
critic. She ultimately married him and went to live study. Seeking quiet and treatment for a nervous
in Copenhagen. •
.- affection, Fru Skram of her own free will became an
BjSrnson is one of Amalie Skram's most apprecia inmate of a lunatic asylum. Thus she had a chance
tive critics. In an article on 'Modern Norwegian of studying one of those specialists in mental disease
Literature,' published in Tilskueren in April 1896, he who are too apt to mistake rebelliousness for a sign of
speaks of her great originality and of the perseverance mental derangement. Of this doctoi',; of the patients,
with which she has groped her way, unaided, from the nurses, her whole environment, shc■ gives a picture
crude naturalism to complete mastery of her art. ■. . so vivid, of such absorbing interest, fhat it can vie
Like Zola, Fru Skram chooses primitive themes, with the most thrilling romance.'
and her men and women arc human beings in close The same critic considers Professor Hieronimus
touch with nature, with the stern rugged nature of the interesting as showing Fru Skram' s art at its best.
north. ' She paints workaday people,' says Bjdrnson, Between her method and that of Zola with whom she
' and the workaday side is often compared, Bjdrnson points out thfs distinc
of human nature, seldom the
Sunday side, never the Sunday man. By the first I tion — that, whereas Zola begins with a vague outline,
mean our everyday life under the influence of passions expanding and filling out as he goes on with any
and conditions of struggle more or less fruitless. , incidents that occur, Fru Skram, before setting
Because she paints this workaday side of life, her '* down a word, first studies her subject its depth.
to
pictures have dull grey skies. In this respect she '■That is why,' says B/Srnson, 'she finds so few words
'
has something of Gerhard Hauptmann's incompar necessary.' ■■
able hypnotising art! The same critic is enthusi /// Denmark, Professor Hieronimus was read as
M .
■
i
viii PREFACE
a roman a clef, full of life-like portraits. For English *ut- '•«■■.■
readers it will not, of have this sensational

course,
interest. But, to quote Bj6rnson again, ' those who:
in the name of humanity are opposed to the too
arbitrary power of asylums, have in this masterly
picture of the interior of one of these a weapon
of in
Professor Hieronimus
superable strength' __
..._■ _ B. M.
chapter
I
Oh dear, would not come right It would
it
I
■
-*
ft-
7
not come right
■
I
It was evening in the studio, and strong
lamplight Fru Kant stood in despair before
the easel, looking at sketch in tones of grey.
a
.-
She had persevered with night and day for
it
over year now had worn the soul out of her
;
body to produce what was in her mind. But
the longer she went on, the worse became.
it
That figure there in the corner, which was to
be the symbpl of the agony of life, what was
it
but wretched caricature of boy with black
a
a
glued-on wings — mere dummy
!
Oh dear, Oh dear What should, what should
I
she do? She, who had once really been cap
able of something, who had roused that fine
frenzy of the Philistine public. But now had
it
come to stop.
A
■
-i ■
I
#.
2 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 3
on painting
Yes, she might, it was true, go this awful muddle that made her soul smart as
with smiling if it To clearly and
and painting sweet, pretty pictures were aflame. see vividly
landscapes and showy figures. But that she how things ought to be, and then —
could not bring herself to do. This strife between what she wanted to paint
painting quite
If only she could put her and what she actually produced, created a
and never more touch a brush.
Think complication of wretchedness which burned it
aside,
of the peace that would come over her I To self into her brain and coloured all that she
live her life, occupied by those
daily-recurring J 3 V ;. heard and experienced, paralysed her energy,
trivial duties, the performance of

which gave and crushed her will. It made her, moreover, so
to her dear
satisfaction to herself and comfort eccentricand difficult to live with. Her poor
be rid of this intolerable burden
that —
ones. To husband with her so upset and in such despair,
her both by day and
lay like a nightmare over yes, in deadly despair because she must, she
the one thing
night And if she had only had had to finish this work, and that too with an
herself entirely
to do, she could have. devoted incapacity growing more horrible and more
other things to take
to the work, and have left certain every day.
care of themselves. But when everything did She seated herself on the divan, crouching
not go as it ought to in the house, and with the together with her elbows on her knees, and her
and household and
child and with the meals face buried in her hands, and while she rocked
accused her
servants, she suffered horribly, and herself to and fro, she wept with low, wailing
self of being negligent and careless. sobs, which were every now and again 'inter
to fulfil
No, it would need heroic strength rupted by violent coughing.
so many duties. St Paul was right after all And what would be the use of going away for
in public.
when he forbade women to appear a time as she had talked with her husband of
said— yet no—
Married women, he should have doing? After all she would take her inner self
because those who were
not married might with her, her torture and torment about her un
marry. finished work, her longing for her husband and
Oh, the misery of it ! To have to look on at child, that dear little lad whom she could not be
4 PROFESSOR HIEROttlMUS
PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS
parted fromfor a single day without being
duties of the day. And then this exasperating
painfully conscious of a want in her life ; and then,
strife with this large picture she, of course,
she could not afford to travel, she could not |which
had taken with her, and with which she never
afford a single mortal thing, now that it was so
made any progress, never could make progress.
long since she had finished any work or sold a
She was always hanging over for
it,
had an
it
picture.
irresistible attraction for her, and the mental
She feltracking pain through the back of
a
her head and sat up with a start Then she agony produced by fruitless endeavour only in
creased when she fled from the work. And the
passed her hand gently over her head from the
of the neck upwards, and pressed her eyes sleeplessness had continued ithe whole winter at
nape
Well, it was not to be wondered at,
home. She had got into the: habit of not sleep
together.
ing, she who had always required so much sleep.
considering how sleepless she had been for
With sleepless nights nobody could get on in
nearly a year now. The■ whole summer when
the long run. Even the strongest man would
she had been in Switzerland with the child she
¥• break down. That was why she was now in this
had not had a single good night's rest Often
she had not closed her eyes from the time she
state. Oh dear these racking pains that seemed
!
to cleave her head in two so that she at times
lay down until she got up in the morning,
because the little one, whom she was obliged to longed to twist a band tightly round it And
have with her on account of the untrustworthi- no change, no way out of it To live her life
nailed to this martyr's stakei— for that was what
ness of the nurse, lay restlessly tossing about in
her work was more and more becoming to her.
his little iron cot which creaked with every
movement So she had lain and read the whole
She dried her face anid remained sitting
motionless, while her look became set in its ex
long night by the light-.of the lamp, and in the
pression of pain. Then the fits of coughing
morning when the boy had had his bath and. :
came on again, long and laboured, so that her
been dressed and had gone out with the nurse,
eyes filled with tears.
she had lain down again and tried to sleep a
What wreck she had become
a
little, but was usually prevented by the many
!
•■
And s/te could have the audacity to set herself
',v<■-.
■•r»
fc■V.
6 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS
up as a judge and accuser of others ; and Kirsten ideas. To die was the one thing left. To give
— she had dismissed her because she was a thief, up the strife, to disappear from life that was
a
and had made her unhappy for life, for now she full of suffering, that she had full of
'
made
had begun to drink to drown the pain. Oh, that suffering for others. was immoral to remain
It
heart-rending cry when she heard that she was alive when she was good for nothing, when she
found out! It still rang in her ears and she knew in her innermost heart that she was only
seemed to see the girl's white, gaping face. And burden and plague to those to whom she
■
a
a
she had not got a place — what would become of would gladly have given her utmost and her
'
her Of course, she would go to the bad, and and to know, moreover, that would
it
? best,
that was her fault. '
O poor, poor Kirsten, I never be otherwise.
ask your forgiveness —I ask your forgiveness.' was strange, though, how long human
It
a
Yes, wherever she turned, and whatever she being, even the most unhappy and most tor
thought of was all dark and difficult The and deliberate when
it,
could hesitate
it
tured,
it
boy, for instance, she could not get him to take came to of throwing off the burden
the point
his food. And there he lay at night, hour and effacing oneself from the number of the
after hour, and would not sleep. Other people's living. This dread of gliding into the eternal
children both slept and ate, but she, of course, darkness of annihilation must be deeply rooted
As in one thing, so in
him. human nature, since, in spite of all, she con
in
mismanaged
'
everything. There was not one glimmer of tinued to drag on day after day, night after
"',
—
light not one, not one. And would go on night
'
it
l
getting gradually worse and worse. She never However, that last resource would not run
had any time to regain her strength, because of, away from her.
this nervous cough 'which was quite distracting, She got hastily, went, to the easel and
up
especially in the night, and which wore her out began painting with eyebrows knitted, and lips
so that she scarcely had strength to rise in the lightly compressed. Suddenlyi she had to stop
morning. Her brain never got any . rest It made her chest and shoulders
It
to cough.
was for ever seething round the same persistent ache, and her knees were so tired. But she
i
'
:
■'*•»
* j■- -
PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS
.
8
9
paid no heed to it all, and
.,-.'•
kept on all the That's what grandfather is.'
'
'
same. ■. ; Shall one then not go to bed in the evening
'
All at once her face cleared. A look of ani any more, and drink cocoa in the morning,
mation came into her eyes and her whole face mamma
'
?
beamed. At last she was getting it right — at No, because then one dead.'
is
'
last, at last
! She laid her palette aside, went Those■who are dead are well off. They
'
are^
a step backwards, and looked at the picture. ' mamma.'
j,
Suddenly she started — wasn't that the boy? 'Come now, you mustn't chatter any more,
She listened a moment, and then hurried but make haste and go to sleep. Hush, it's the
through the dining-room into the nursery middle of the night'
where a night light was burning. There lay What night, mamma
'
is
,i
'
?
■ L' -
the nurse, and snored with open mouth, and in
' t
,'■
'•
•
Rejoice, all ye little mice,
.
•
■
■'
'
the little cot against the other wall, the boy was
••
For now the pussy cat dead.
is
.
'.
'.
sitting up, and righting with his arms. -7 And now the larder's free to you
With all its stores of buttered bread.'
'My sweet little Tage.' Else bent over the
child, and in a moment had kissed him wide
Did they put cheese on, mamma
'
'
?
'
awake. What is
■'
it,
my boy Shall sing to But there you are chattering again.'

No.
I
?
'
you?'
:'•:
...■ The door leading from the dining-room opened,
Yes, mamma, about the pussy cat'
'
and tall, broad-shouldered man with a dark,
a
Else laid the boy down on the pillow and bald head entered.
tucked him in. Then she sang to a dreamy shouted the child, and in moment
Papa
'
is a
!
melody — Tage hungry.
he was sitting up in bed.
'
:
Pussy lying under the stove, Two sandwiches with goose liver paste, and one
'
is
He has such pain in his head,

with roast beef, and one with cheese
'
a
!
He mews, and bewails his sad lot,
And thinks he will soon be dead.' Kant went up to the bed, bent over the child,
and said in caressing voice —
:
Dead What's that, mamma You go off
'
'
So you are hungry, little chap

?
I
'
?
But Tage suddenly seized a large piece of

'
to bed.' He turned imploringly to Else. '
There
you are, sitting here again, and the boy ; you bread and butter and declared that he was
don't give him peace to sleep.' very, very hungry, and was going to eat it
'
How can you say such things, Knut ? Why, all.
'
it drives me distracted when the child does not • ' Can you not go off to bed, Else ? Kant asked
go to sleep.' again. You don't know what you look like.'
'
Tage had been standing up in bed with his •Go to bed! What would be the good? I
arms round his father's neck. ■
can't sleep anyhow, especially now when you are
'
I
want to go into the dining-room with you,' sitting there with the boy.'
'
he said insinuatingly. •
Why does mother cry ?
' '
Don't encourage him,' entreated Else.' - ' Poor little mother !
Because mother is ill.
'
Perhaps it's as well to tire him out He'll Else returned to the studio and began paint
sleep all the better afterwards.' ing again, stepping back a little every moment
Knut wrapped theround the boy,
coverlet and staring at the picture with resdessly question
took him on his arm, and carried him into the ing looks. ,'
dining-room. He sat down at the table with the 'God knows,' she thought dubiously. 'Per
child on his knee and gave him food. haps, after all, it is no better.' Moreover, she
Else followed and also sat down at the table. was so tired that her hand shook, and then that
Tage was soon in excellent spirits. He pulled ■
cough —
Kant's beard, chattered incessantly, and every But she on.i She must. To
must keep
now and again bit off a piece of bread and butter morrow when she got up she would be still
and put it into his father's mouth ; he had got one more tired, and the whole day it would be just
foot free from the blanket, and suddenly held it the same. - '■ ■■
up in the face of Kant, who was as pleased as And Knut too, he didirt come back ! Now
the child. he would be sitting there, waiting for the child
Else smiled sadly and shook her head. to fall asleep, instead of going quietly away, or
'
You see, he is not eating anything,' she said. at least being content with awaking the nurse 1
12 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS " ' " ■ PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS IS
'• "i
'
Kant spoke about fur and her over-anxiety It's half-past one o'clockr Else. You know
about the child, yet he himself was no better, that this feverish working at night always occurs
rather worse.
' when you are worst Stop, for heaven's sake,
.O, this expression about the mouth I this
. . I of you, Else'
beg
awful, obstinate expression! She shaded her 'Just you go off to bed and leave me alone.
eyes with her hands, and looked at what she And if it comes to that, I am not ill at all. It's
had been painting. much worse with Tage who neither eats nor
Now, she had made it look
like a mere mummy's mask. sleeps. Won't you speak seriously with Tvede
With the brush
and palette in her hands, she walked about it?' .
up and '
down crying quietly. She then went on with Now, do be good, Else.' With gentle force
her painting, while her head burned and the Knut took the palette from her. ' You are killing
per
spiration came out on her forehead. yourself, and you are killing me too.' He spoke
'But, Else—' Knut had entered the room. in a low voice, and there was an expression
He looked at her, horrified, and went up and of deep concern on his wrinkled forehead.
'
took the brush out of her hand. Come now,' he went on as Else stared dis
'
'
I
am obliged to use the few moments when tractedly without answering. You must try
it
seems to me that I can work, whether it's to sleep a little; I shall give you a sleeping
night
or day.' She wrenched draught' ,
her wrist from his
fingers. Is Tage asleep ?
' 'What use are sleeping draughts ?' murmured
'Yes.' Else. *
Not if you gave me a hundred. Will
Knut paced slowly up and down the room you not speak seriously with Tvede about the
once or twice'with bent head. child?'
Then he paused
behind Else who went on painting steadily. Knut turned away, and began again to pace
He
raised his head and appeared to wish to ' < up and down the floor. -\
say .■
something, but gave it Else went on.—
up and resumed his
pacing up and dpwn. 'There's nothing the matter with the child,'
said Knut, driven distracted!
■"'
:'■
■.
*
14 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS '-.-.' PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 15
You won't speak to him then But when implore you so urgently,
'
'
'
I
I
?
Yes, will, only have patience.' shall go to bed myself soon after.'
'
I
The first thing to-morrow morning 'But that just what you never will do,
is
'
'
?
' Yes now will you go to bed sighed Knut He went and looked at the
'
;
?
Else went off and sat down on the couch. picture with half-shut eyes. Else stood in
Knut glanced at her. He, too, sat down suspense awaiting his verdict
a
little way off. Well, don't know, Else. tell you can't
'
I
All at once Else see at this time of night believe what you
it
rose and began to paint
I
again. Knut got up and left the room. He have painted good.'
is
had better try the plan of going off to bed 'There, don't think don't know you. You
I
himself. had much better say what you really think. Oh
It
was intolerable to see her stand

dear, Oh dear, and will
it,
there wearing herself out always be in
is
it
Half-an-hour later he came stealing in again vain?' She wept and walked aimlessly about
in dressing-gown and slippers. There Else the studio. Knut followed her, praying and
stood, still painting. :■
entreating, but she did not listen to him.
Oh, how you frightened me But now
shall go to rest anyhow,' she said
'
'
she exclaimed,
'
I
I
turning round with a sudden start Do you at length, wiping her face. Now have no
'
I
'
wish to drive me quite distracted longer any work. What good thing was
it
a
by going
about in the night as who deprived that you said what you thought Thanks for
if
were
it
you of rest that'

'
?
Knut shook hiB head helplessly. She took little phial from the "table drawer.
a
'Do look What are you going to do with that asked
'
at what
'
have been painting this
?
I
evening,' said Else, and tell me what you think Knut, who had been watching her closely.
'
of it?' Nothing. Just leave me alone.'
'
Not now. No, Else.
Give me the bottle immediately.
'
'
must be fresh and clear-headed

I
to be able to see, and now know what you arc meditating.'

I
am dead
I
tired.' Else looked hard at him. He stood calmly

'
■
-
16 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS
I ■ PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS '17
with a hand outstretched H
and a look that
seemed full of sorrow, and at the same time so days, could sleep, work, accomplish something —
weary and hopeless. be happy.
A strange man this Knut! He had the But Knut did not believe that, neither did
same views as she had about the she.
liberty to take I
one's life. They had often talked it over, and No, no, no I She could see by his look that
that time when his young cousin was
on the
he didn't believe. But if so, it was downright
verge of inevitable ruin, and she had chanced i mean of him not to shut his eyes and ears and
to say she feared it would end let her do as she wished.'
by his shooting
himself, Knut had answered quietly :
'
It is too bad of you,' she said.
' '
'
That wouldn't be the worst' Give me the bottle,' Knut answered firmly.
'
But when it came to the point, as now But why ? Once it was over, wouldn't you
with
her, he acted like a common
think in your /heart, " Yes, yes, it was hard that
detective. He
had done this, too, once it shouldend thus, but after all it was the only
before, some years
ago, when it had seemed to her that there way and the best way out of it" |
was '
nothing left but death. No,' said Knut
' At that '
Was it because he loved her so much ? No ' Else seemed to collapse. There
Yes, he did love her, but not was so much pain and love and staunch cer
enough to leave
her at liberty to die. Then, too, he tainty in his tone and mien. Was it possible
had not the
courage to behave merely as a passive looker- that he did not think it best for her to die?
on when it was a question of this last, last ■ It was as if a hard lump at her heart began to
step.
'
I must take precaution,' he was standing there melt
'
now and thinking. ' I don't have a I won't do it then,' she said gently. '
But
moment's ,
peace all day long.' :■
**■"■ you ought to show enough confidence in me
Yes, if precautions would be of any use If
' not to take the bottle from me.'
she could again become as she
was in the old
'I can't do that-
Remember all these many
nights I have gone about almost wrestling with
you for your life. How can I, or even you
B
:
'ii
PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 19
'
18
yourself know when the impulse will move She sat up in bed, and at last sounded like
it
yfou
'
again ? continuous whooping.
'But indeed you must trust me,' Else burst There they came, those stamping hoof thuds,
out passionately. . ' I cannot bear you not to, up the stairs and through the outer door which
'
trust me I She threw herself prostrate on the opened of its own accord. Briskly, in measured
floor, and cried and sobbed loudly. time they came. The door; of the bedroom
'Yes, yes, Else, in God's name I do believe opened, and in swept slowly that procession of
you.' beautiful brown horses that Else had often seen
„ Else rose and became calm. She put the of late. Their heads and the '!upper portions of
bottle back in the drawer and locked it their bodies were stiff and lifeless, and instead of
'
'
Will you go to bed now, Else ? eyes, they had large black cavities, but their
Else was going to answer, but the cough began graceful slender legs were raised and lowered as
again. It seemed as if it would tear her in the procession advanced through the dining-room
pieces; -'*
.* :..'v■' •'.:'' and studio, out into the hall, and in again to the
'
You must not look so distressed, Knut' bedroom, appearing and reappearing, disturbed
'There isn't much cause to look otherwise,' And Else sat
in
by nothing. Again and again
!
murmured Knut, passing his hand over his fore her bed, coughing and starihg, wondering but
head. not afraid. Then suddenly there stood Knut,
' '
No, you poor thing I and the procession of horses seemed to have sunk
At last Knut succeeded in getting her off to into the ground. . u
.,'
bed. She undressed with a frightened expres You must take your opium,' said he. This
'
'
sion, looking round every moment and listening worse than ever.'
is
anxiously. Knut gave her a sleeping draught But Else would not do that She had taken
and went to his room. the night before, and she dared not overdo
it
'•'
•'
But Else had scarcely lain down when
it
a
paroxysm of coughing convulsed her again. 'Did you see the horses?' asked Else. . . .
The room was full of them jwhen you came in.

•'
i
21
20 PROFESSOR KIERONIMUS •■
Now, at this hour
'
?
'
It is such a pity, though, that you can neither broad daylight
Why,
is
it
I
'
'j
'
Not another word of it Be off
see nor hear. But just you go away,' Else went to bed im-
•
on, as Knut made no reply, am so used to
£,'
I
mediately.'
being like this.'
Else went on hear these words constantly
'
I
:
Yes,must go,' answered Knut, servant,
ringing in my ears, "O thou Wicked
am ready
*
'
I
I
I
to drop from sheer, fatigue, and have much to debt, shoijldst not thou also
forgave thee all that
I
do to-morrow.'
have had —
"
'
,j
But the promise gave you not to have re at length got
Knut took off her cloak, and
'
I
course to the poison, that holds good only for
her to lie down. And at last she went off to
to-night,' Else called after him. 'So now you
sleep.
I
know.' •
Knut groped his way back to his room like
i
one walking in his sleep, and lay down. He
tucked the bedclothes tightly round him, turned
to the wall, and at once fell into doze, through
a
which he was conscious of the sound of Else's

cough as of
weight on his heart
a
All at once he started up in terror, jumped

out of bed, and opened the door that led to the
passage. There stood Else putting on long
a
cloak.
What's the matter now asked Knut sternly,
'
'
taking her by the shoulders.

can get no peace,' Else whispered.
'
keep
'
'
I
for ever thinking of Kirsten whom we turned

adrift want■ to go now to her mother to ask
I
after her.'
23
articles, and has often

She has read one of
his'
spoken to me about him.* ..
,
j
in the hospUal
.
'Sheought.thento be placed
under his care?'
■
.
her calmed down, and
•Yes, when he has got
he wd
has had her there
for eight or ten days,
don't see that
I
to be done.
I
tel you what
is
CHAPTER II shall wnte
a
advice.
can give you any other
I
Hierommu,
Go with to the hospital to
it
By ten o'clock the next morning Knut was with note and
now. 'Consult hun
their family physician and fqend, Tvede. You can see him there
wife about it Of
course,
'
Well, it is for you to say what is to be done,' then speak to your
too.'
said Knut she must be willing
There was
i
and went
They had talked a while in a general way of Knut tobk the note
Else's condition. Dr Tvede did not answer at some hope in this.
once, but merely looked at Knut with his mild,

deeply sunk, philosophic eyes.
'
After all, there is only one thing to be done,'
■i:
.■
he said. 'We must secure rest for her. She
ought to be got away from home to a hospital.
Nowhere else can she get the rest she needs.'
' '
Some private institution ? Knut asked
hesitatingly.
'
Do you think that your wife will put up
with the society of a lot of hysterical women?'
Oh no — of course —
' '
'
We have Professor Hieronimus. He is the
'
'
best authority, and she has respect for him.
■
PROFESSOR HfERONIMUS
RC 25
'.I
her eyes slowly filling with. tears. must be
torn away from my picture by force, otherwise
will go all wrong, for after all there must be
it
something the matter with me.'
Go there for few days,' Knut continued.
'
a
Ten days at the most. You will at least be
chapter' in
'
> ■*
■jJ
i
able to put up with that'
:
j
ThE Kants can put up with anything, only have
if
'
sat at breakfast
I
'But mamma, I don't peace and quiet Besidds,! could take some
want to eat/ persisted
Tage, who sat opposite little odds and ends ofj Work with me. The
Else with a large feeder
round his neck, sketches for the Children's Xmas Book, for
playing with the fried
egg and
finely.rn.nced meat on his
'I.wt instance
'
?
s
$
j
plate.
tell you, I won't' /wont, Ii Of course. Then we shall be able to get his
'
'As you won't opinion as to whether ybu phould take trip to
a
eat, you can leave
the table'
sadKnutwth the air of one Switzerland, or go to ptay for a while in the
Just waking up
He,pressed the table bell, country.'
f!
fj
and the nurse
'
entered
and was told to take Yes, will be good. thing to consult man
it
'
a
Tage for a walk.
'
I spoke to Tvede to-day,' like Hieronimus— to explain to him fully my
,
you any objection to
said Knut
Have
•
sensations about everything.'
going into the hospital to
be under Professor 'You must go to him!! this very day. have
Hieronimus ? '
I
*" already been there.'
■
°f
;
j:
j
SUggCSt
accoÊ?6
accord? Else asked, rCS his °™ Else's cheeks got a little paler. What did
'
and.an almost defiant
expression he say
'
came into heTeyes
j!
,
j
*Yes, he did. It is now only a question He had not time, but. asked me to come
|
your consent' of again at three o'clock and bring you too. He
*Ves. I shall willingly
made an excellent impression on me he seemed
go,' Else answered,
;
4■J so quiet and thoughtful.) )3y the way, he looked
i
ii
I
26 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HI ERONIMUS 27
like a lay-preacher in his well-worn frock coat when inspiration would seize
her ; but her efforts
But I suppose that was the hospital dress. Do No, she must away,
had always been in vain.j
her work, from the
be ready precisely at half-past two.' away from everything, frqm
the worry about
Else went into the studio and looked at her memory of poor Kirsten, from
large picture. It seemed bad and impossible and Tage's health. It would 'be a real relief to get
i■,
would always be so. She shrank together under away to Hieronimus.
'
of the
the consuming painof her own helplessness, of Yes, only she could teave off thinking
if
which she was always conscious. This feeling picture. If only ■it didn't end in her sitting
and see
made her quite powerless every time she stood down there painting and painting
ought to be, and burn-
■
ing before her eyes how
it
before the picture. Empty, lifeless, meaning
less I She felt as if a large clammy hand were ing to begin again. iut she would do her
from her, to
clutching at her heart so that she had difficulty utmost to put the thought away
and strength in the
in breathing. sleep herself back to health
If she there. Eight or ten
were to try once more, now, at the last peace and quietness down
moment when she had given up everything, and would wcrfk' wonders. She lifted
/lights' sleep
from the
was going to flee from it Only fancy if she down the frame with thej large canvas
were to succeed It seemed to her that she had easel and placed with its face against the wall.
it
I
and looked after
read or heard of something of that sort having She then went into the Aursery
If only she was working
happened. she could achieve somethingj Tage's things.^ A blous<j which
and strings. She
'
the expression in the eyes, for instance ! Then at still wanted the buttons
hope and courage and new strength would come finished that, collected in heap the linen and
a
nurse, and
to her. stockings to be repaired by the
in order. After that
placed everything neat
jy.
She began to paint eagerly, but before long
she threw the palette aside and turned away. she sat down at the: }able,
resting her heavy
It was always so. How many, many times in a head in her hands. er eyes were smarting
If
mad desire to drive away care and regain hope from long want of sleep. Her head swam and
Involuntarily she
had she thought that the moment was come she felt sudden fainfness.
i
<■
■
23 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS - ■'>■- ■••
P
E. ,■...'...■;• - PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS
!
29
groped for support Faint and deadly sleepy,
she let her arms fall down
on to the table and to rise, but she could not- move, a limb. Stiff
her face sink on her with fear, she stared at the door. In few
a
clasped hands.
There were strange sounds around
her, heavy
bounds she would be able to reach it But
sighs and a monotonous supposing were locked now and that the
it
soughing mingled with
the rustling of faded key were gone Yes, was locked, and there
it
leaves. She wanted to
!
lift her head to see what it was no key, she saw that distinctly. She then
was, but could not
raise felt herself become like
it,
however much At Jast paralysed mass, and
a
she tried. she
succeeded. What this? she thought she began to glide down from the chair. But
is
Every-
thing seemed to loom so large just at that moment the door opened noiselessly
round her, and
the ceiling seemed so and four men entered silently, carrying between
high up and the light
was pale grey like that of them a long light coffin curved into semi
a
distant and misty
moon,and there along the wall a circle at the/ top. The opening of the upper
stood rows of
beds with white sheets and half was covered in front with frame of glass,
a
blankets tucked in
tightly,- and beneath the blankets and through this Else saw human head lying
a
lay human
beings, stiffly stretched out, and sideways with an emaciated lifeless face, the
groaning. Now
and then they raised their colour of which seemed black as lead against
heads and prayed
with heart-rending voices the white pillow. In moment she knew
it
a
that their tight
coverings might be loosened. But no was Knut and that he was dead. Struggling
one
answered. By the side of the high, narrow to make some sound, she gave shriek, fell
a
door opposite stood figure with bound hands face downwards on the floor, and woke up.
a
in long, white, shining robe, She sprang up from the chair into the middle
a
fastened to the
wall by thick dark rope_■which was of the room where she remained standing,
a
twisted
J
round the waist The eyes were wide looking wildly around.
open
■
and had no pupils, but the The door from the dining-room opened
whites were large
and protruding, and put of the silently, and her husband put in his head.
mouth hung
long tongue, black as pitch. Bewildered, with outstretched arms, and sobbing
a
Else wanted
loudly, Else rushed towards him, tore open the
door, and threw herself on his neck.
••
30 PROFESSOR H1ERONIMUS ; M
f
Knut had difficulty in calming her. He ! 'I
wanted her to lie down on the sofa in the

studio: There was still an hour and a quarter
before they need set out But Else clung to
him trembling, and entreated him not to leave
her for a single moment At last he got her to
rest on the sofa, where she remained lying with CHAPTER IV
wide open eyes, staring and staring at the
WHEN they arrived at the hospital it was still
dream vision, while she felt she was surrounded
a quarter to three, so they walked 'up and down
by world of fear and misery.
a She had often in a side street, feeling nervous and anxious, and
thought that she was the most tortured human not exchanging many words.
being on earth. It
now came home to her that •
What o'clock is it now ?
'
Else asked.
for the sons of men there were '
sufferings and Only seven minutes have gone.'
tortures of another and a worse kind than hers. '
Is it possible !
'
At every sound she shuddered and stretched Têy went on and the silence was interrupted
"
her hand towards Knut who sat near her in an only when Else repeated her question about the
easy chair with a book. .V -.- •
time. Knut always made the same reply, that
only a few minutesjiad passed.
' of an hour pass so
I never knew a quarter
slowly,' Else exclaimed.
*
But don!t you think
'
your watch has stopped ?
Knut shook his head and Else began to count
to herself. Every time she came to sixty meant
■ that a minute must have passed, and so she
began afresh.
'
Now, I know it must be three o'clock,' she
said suddenly, and stood still.
,W
It still wanted four minutes, but now Knut face and a mass of dry, colourless, and dis
suggested they might begin to make a move. hevelled hair. i
They turned in at the gate of the hospital, and Knut and Else sat down on 'the bench op
passed through several gravelled quadrangles who seemed absorbed in a
posite the artisan J
with railed-in lawns, where the flower-beds were newspaper which he held spread out between his
black and neglected and the trees brown and hands. Now and then he looked up from the
wintry-like. paper, and meeting Else's scrutinising look, he
When they had reached the innermost quad smiled, half shyly, half apologetically as if to say,
rangle, Knut
pointed to a small two-storied '
is^
Surely you understand that it riot on my own
stone house which stood somewhat apart from behalf that am sitting here.'
I
'
the other long buildings, and said There it is.' was quiet in the room. The only sounds
It
Else gave Knut a look that seemed to ask if were the deep sighs from the crotiching peasant
he did not think her very brave as she briskly every time he spat, which he J'dfd frequently.
mounted the stairs leading to the corridor. ■ Although he neither changed his position nor
Above the door to the right was a Scripture lifted his head, he always hit the middle of the
text, which Else carefully studied. spittoon which stood at least yard away from
a
' '
Shall we knock ? him.
Knut knocked, and as no one answered, he
The door from the corridor opened and tall
a
opened the door and let Else pass in before him. man in home-made working jacket, a narrow
a
It was an oblong gloomy room with bare closely-cropped head, and wooilen comforter
a
floor, yellow benches along the walls, and a large round his neck entered. Else's heart began to
spittoon standing in a conspicuous place on beat, and she looked inquiringly at Knut, but
the floor.. In the room were two men,
that
understood immediately this was not
peasant, who sat huddled together with his
|
a Hieronimus.
hands between his knees and his head bent low, The man remained standing moment, look
a
and a younger man, who looked like an artisan ing round. He then went slowly on his tip
or a board school teacher with a sickly yellow toes to the furthest end of the room, and
C
:„
w..
sat down with his back wedged into ■

the arose before her mind's eye, j first a man with
corner. sad face and persuasive voice, then two clerical
A few minutes passed. The artisan went on bands under a thin pointed ■ chin, and hair
sleeked down with water, and finally a pulpit — a
reading his paper, the peasant sighed and spat,
and the man in the corner sat motionless as a pulpit? Yes, now she had itl The young
ghost theological student whom she had met many
Then light swift steps were heard outside on » years before in her uncle's parsonage, and who
the stairs and coming along the corridor. The had once preached when Uncle John had caught
door suddenly opened and in came a dapper a cold. Yes, it was he, that pious, fanatical
gentleman with a cold, pale, beardless face, and being whose eyes had the expression of one
sleekly smoothed down hair. He crossed the who was always lamenting the sins of the world,
room without looking to the right or left, on one who not only lamented, but who was full of
passing made a sign to the crouched peasant zeal and wrath on behalf of his Lord. She had
who had straightened himself and then stood up often discussed religious matters with him, and
and followed the dapper gentleman into the ad had come to like him because he was so honest
joining room. .
' " "and pure-minded. Thank God it was not an
'
'
Is that how he looks ? Else whispered. unsympathetic person that Hieronimus re
'
But I don't think his clothes look shabby.' minded her of, though he did not look like what
Knut smiled and whispered back. '

Not she had expected. And thank God she had
these clothes.' discovered whom he reminded her of, so that
Shortly afterwards the peasant returned, she had not that at least to puzzle over.
and on the threshold stood Hieronimus. He Knut came back, and then. Else went in to
glanced sharply for a" moment at Else, then Hieronimus. He sat sidqways at a "writing-
;
made an almost imperceptible sign with his head table, leaning back . in the chair, with one leg
crossed over the other and holding in his hands

to Knut, who rose and followed him. Of whom
was it then that Hieronimus' look reminded a small object which he was twisting about
Else? She puzzled over it and then there With a slight movement of the head he
up"
i
•
I
!
i
motioned Else to a seat at the corner of the 'All right, at six o'clock then.'
writing-table. She can bring with her bag with the neces
'
a
'You are not very well,' Hieronimus began sary toilet things and some linen,' said Hieroni
in a thin colourless voice, fixing her with his mus, turning to Knut
'tyothing else. At
eyes all the while. the office you will be able to find out the charge
' for private patients.'
No,' Else managed to stammer out
'You suffer from sleeplessness,' the professor Else had several things on, her mind that she
' wanted to ask about,
continued, and made a slight pause. You are but) Hieronimus had
very depressed in your mind.' Another pause. already opened the door that iled to the waiting-
'
Your husband tells me, to put it briefly, you room, and they bade him good-bye.
'
are not quite well Yes,' said Knut with
'
? sigh; as they crossed
a
Else wished to answer, but could not do so the quadrangle. If onlywejare now acting for
'
for her tears she bent her face over her muff, the best Why should not be for the
it
;
'
pressing it to her eyes. best?'
'
Your medical adviser thinks that you should Else responded
cheerfully, but the next
come to the hospital for a while. You have moment she became oppressed at the sight of
' her husband's anxious and concerned face.
no objection to that, have you ? The last
sentence was spoken in a hasty tone, and the 'Yes, we must hope that Knut sigh
s,'
it;
said
speaker sat erect in his chair. ing.
Else shook her head.
The professor got up, opened the door, and After dinner Else went into the bedroom and
beckoned to Knut '
Your wife can come into packed up her things.
!
:
. the hospital this aftefttoon. In an hour, let Knut came in with few pooks. This will
'
a
us say.' be enough to begin with,' he said.
' Yes, you can always bring
Oh, no, not until this evening.' Else begged. ' few more when
a
'The hospital rule that patients are not you come to see me.
is,
Although for so short
a
admitted after six,' time-
PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 39
3a PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS
'
The key was turned and the door opened.
About eight or ten days at the most,' sighed tall woman with pale, refined
There stood
a
a
Knut ' Are you ready ? ' nurse, with a
face wearing the neat uniform of
a
Shortly afterwards Else put her cloak on.
large bunch of keys hanging outside the greyish-
She went out to the kitchen and said good-bye
white mackintosh apron.
to the maids and asked them to be kind to Tage.
Fru Kant Please come in. ;Let me take
'
?
Then she came back and took the child up in
that' She stretched out her hand for the bag.
her arms, while, struggling with her tears, she
Well, then, good-bye,. Else,' Knut said with
'
promised to come back soon to tell him stories
trembling voice, and kissed her.
and play with him.
:'■
'I don't want to go in. Every place here
,
.
You must come now, Else.' Else
'
•'
.
seems to be locked as were prison.'
if
it
a
Else kissed the child again and again. She little way shrinkingly.
stepped back
a,
then put him down and whispered good-bye. Surely
Don't think' anything of that, Else.
'
The cab drove in through the hospital gate,
the outside door must be locked.'
through the large quadrangle and stopped in Else advanced
Shall you come to-morrow
'
?
'
front of the lowest of the long buildings.
. to the door.
They rang the bell at the entrance door, but 'Yes, Else.'
.
were told by nurse who opened that they
it,
a
'Really?'
had come to the wrong place. This was the "*'
,!.■
Yes, good-bye.'
'
men's block. They must go round the corner to
Good-bye.'
•
another entrance and walk upstairs. last look, 'and turned
She gave her husband
a
No further obstacles presented themselves. been standing on the
to the nurse who had
The entrance door was unfastened, and the
threshold with the bag in her hand.
spacious staircase was lighted by gas. Upstairs
there was only one door and they rang the bell.
Soon they heard steps and the noise of keys.
Knut squeezed Else's hand. He was somewhat
pale and silent
I
.
'"
PROFESSOR HiiitONIMUS 41
■'- ♦
Else went on until she reached the big folding

door at the end of the corridor. Then she
turned her head and said to the nurse who
had
stopped a little way behind :*-'

'
'
Where am I to go ? , ;
'
Here, the professor thought'
The nurse opened one of the doors in the long
CHAPTER V '
wall. , : j:
|
ELSE went swiftly past the nurse in the long Else turned and went into a spacious half
corridor which was lighted by gas jets placed darkened room, with a wide window opposite
high up on the walls. Just then the door was the door.
shut with a bang, the bunch of keys rattled, the '
Why are there two beds; here ? Is some one
lock was turned twice. A shiver passed through else to occupy this room besides myself?'
Else. '
A lady, a quiet, old lady. She is so quiet
'
Ifs or not'
just like any other outside door,' said the that one doesn't know whether she is there
nurse in explanation, with a searching look at *
But don't the private patients have separate
, '
Else. Else went with hesitating step along the rooms ? .
| ;
corridor. At one side under the windows stood She paced with an uneksy air up and down
$
oblong yellow tables, yellow wooden chairs, and the floor. A painful seniation overcame her.
here and there rustic stands with flower pots. These creatures out there in the corridor whose
On some of the chairs sat women in loose, blue clothes looked like prisoners' uniform ; the
cotton gowns. One of them sat with her arms windows with the high shutters reminded her of
crossed, looking vacantly into space. Another what she had seen in the Turkish harems ; the
gas jets high up where they could not
greeted Else with an inquisitive and unfriendly be reached
stare, and a third sat crouching over her knit without ladders ; the rattling bunch of keys out
ting. On the other side of the corridor were ; ■ side the tall nurse's cold-looking mackintosh
doors far apart from each other. apron. Everything disquieted and disturbed
'
42
PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS A
her. 'No,' she went on
not
passionately, 'I can
in a room with
sleep she again pushed in, saying to Else, 'Come
any one else. I
must have a room to along now.'
myself.'
She stopped pacing Else had passed quickly through both doors,
up and down on the rush
mat which reached from which Nurse Stenberg immediately shut and
the door to the window,
and kept on locked, and they now found themselves in a
repeating more and more irritably,
1 must have a
room to myself.' corridor of the same breadth and length as the
Suddenly she discovered, pressed previous one. The same high windows, the
tightly in
the corner of the sofa at same yellow tables and chairs, the same figures
the table, a very small,
thin, and crooked female in the loose blue cotton gowns, only there were
figure whose crushed
look seemed to follow her. more doors along the long wall, all of them
'
Is it she there ? ' Else standing open. The gas jets up near the ceiling
asked and stopped in
front of the tall nurse who encased in a wire netting, set into square recesses
was observing her
closely. •
I want'to get away from her at once into the walls, one over each door. There were
!
A t once, this very moment, ' neither flower-pots or mats, and ! the impression
do you hear ?
A younger nurse had entered. that Else got, was of a place still more bare and
She looked at
Else for a moment,
and then whispered some prison-like than that of the other corridor.
words to the tall nurse On one of the yellow chairs sat a little old
whom she addressed as
Nurse Stenberg. woman in a night.wrapper, with light blue eyes
'
Perhaps it can be arranged for and a soft, gentle face. She held her wizened
you to be by
yourself/ Nurse Stenberg hands clasped together over her clean folded
said quickly. She
left the room, and handkerchief while she muttered complacently
followed by Else, she we*t
along to the wide folding-door, to herself. . .
outside which ■
Else had stopped before. Here A rather young woman with a yellow, deadly-
she inserted her
key, turned it in the lock, tired face, was walking and fro in white
pushed one half of the to■
door into the wall, advanced woollen socks, swinging herself from side to side.
a step, and stood
outside another folding-door, one half of which Her brown, closely-cropped hair stood out in all
directions, and her hands were stuck into her
IP
sleeves. Her large head swayed sometimes ' '

I
•
In bed I Else almost smiled: Shall have
fonvards, sometimes to the side as if
it were too , to stay in bed when there is nothing the matter
heavy, while she. timidly stole a look
at Else with me?'
without pausing in her walk. When she met ' '
Then why have you come here ? Nurse
Else's look she made sullen
grimaces and hid Stenberg asked severely.
her face behind her upraised
arm. In one of '
In bed ! ' Else continued, laughing outright
the open doors an equally
young woman stood '
How long, may I ask ? A whole day perhaps.'
on tip-toes, her arms raised
'
in a semi-circle over 'That depends. If you are very quiet you
her head. The nightingale,' she whispered as
may escape with a week.'
Else went past Suddenly she
broke forth into Else turned her back in indignation. Nurse
a few high clear trills and
then commenced to Stenberg was standing there making fun of her.
sob hysterically. ' '
' Is there ho better room than this ? she
Here,' said Nurse Stenberg, and
entered one asked, stepping out into the corridor and
of the open doors. . _ ■,
looking, into the other rooms with their open
Else followed, and stood
staring fixedly. In doors.
the middle of the oblong
room stood an iron bed, They were all just the same, a bed in the
and at its head a small yellow
table. Nothing middle of the floor and a small bedside stand.
besides. The window was placed high
up in the On one of the beds .lay an old haggard creature
wall.
' with a face like that of a mummy, her skin
Here you can be by yourself,' the
nurse con like yellow parchment, and the eyes sunken.
tinued.
' She raised her armsElse appearedslowly as
But this is just like a prison
cell,' Else ex on the threshold and stammered forth some
claimed, when at last she was able to
speak. 'No thing that sounded like a plea for mercy. In
furniture or anything. Not even a chair to sit another bed sat another woman with cold
on/
frightened eyes and her arms clasped round
'That won't be necessary,' answered
Nurse her drawn-up knees. She rocked herself to
Stenberg. ' You will be in bed.' sound,
and fro, and uttered a subdued
,
•
4(3 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS
Cells I was the idea which suddenly rose to her hat from her. the same moment a noise
At
a creature in a
Else's mind. She was then on the lock-up and a sharp cry was heard, and
•
the door
cell division side of the hospital. But what chemise and night jacket rushed past
could be the sense in that? on bare clattering feet
'You it is the same everywhere,' Nurse
see Nurse Stenberg rushed out into the corridor
Stenberg said from behind her. '
You have and took hold of the patient, who kicked,
got the only room that is not occupied.' shrieked and struggled. A young nurse came
'
But surely it's impossible that you can mean to her assistance. She was a stoutly built
had round,
to put me here,' said Else. 'These are cells, woman with firm muscular limbs,
and I am hot mad.' rosy cheeks and a pleasant face.
'
Well, well, we shall see.'
'
I shall be able to manage' her myself,' she
smile.
Can't I speak to the, professor ? ' said to Nurse Stenberg with a pleasant
'
'Yes, to-morrow morning. ' Come, Madame Hoff, be quiet now and go
The assistant
physician comes this evening. But now go back to bed— now then, no tricks.' She pressed
into your room. You mustn't stand here.' her arms firmly but carefully round the sick
'
Nurse Stenberg took Else's arm and drew her woman, and dragged her along the corridor.
'
into the cell. ' Now, you must undress.' •
-.. 'Nurse Stenberg I called a frightened voice
hurried
from some way off, and Nurse Stenberg
'
Yes, but you mean me to take off only my
outer things, don't you?' off.
'
No, you must go to bed.' Else went into the cell and began to walk up
'
At six o'clock ? But why ?
'
and down on the floor. What kind of place was
'That is the rule.' this she had come to? She pressed her hands
'
I have never been accustomed to go to bed against her feverish temples, and angry tears
before midnight Do let me stay up.' filled her eyes.' And she would have to stay
'That's impossible. You must be in bed here the whole night among these mad people—
when the doctor makes his round.' amongst these lunatics. Knut would not come
Nurse Stenberg went up to Else and took till to-morrow, and until then she must endure
■■:j i■ji
it It didn't look if other, while she tried to guard herself with jerks
as they were going to let
her out again, but perhaps when the assistant and sudden movements.
' '
physician came — he would, of course, say it was Why are you doing this with me? she asked
a mistake and have her taken somewhere else. indignantly.

' '
If only the professor himself could come I Oh, What was it you had in your hand ? Thor
how she longed to speak to him I A whole gren exclaimed in a voice trembling with rage,
■
night in this place ! What would become of while she impatiently unfastened Else's bodice
her? Thank God, she had brought her cough with a movement of the fingers as if she was
•' What have you
mixture with her, so that she could get a little groping for something inside.
'
done with it ?
sleep I She fumbled feverishly in the pocket of
' '
her dress from which she produced a little bottle, Can't you let me undress myself? said Else,
and took out a glass stopper, and raised it to beginning to cry. I am npt used to having my
'
her mouth. things torn off me like that'

'
At that moment the plump young nurse Well, then you musn't play any tricks,' said
whom Nurse Stenberg had called Thorgren, Nurse Stenberg. ' What was that bottle you were
"
came rushing in, took hold of Else's arm from taking out ?'
'
behind, and tried to open her hands by force. That's my cough mixture,' Else sobbed out
Else struggled. There was Nurse Stenberg, too. 'I wanted to take some so as to get some
With a firm grasp, she laid her hands on Else's sleep.'
shoulder and said sternly

'
You must undress
:
'Yes, we know that story. Out with it
at once, and in my presence — at once I
' immediately.' Nurse Stenberg again passed
Thorgren unbuttoned Else's cloak, and tore it her hands round Else.
'Can't you let me keep Nurse Stenberg?
it,
roughly off her, whispering some words to Nurse
Stenberg, who was searchingly pressing her
' cough so much in the night My doctor has
I
hands all round Else's person. prescribed for me.'
it
Else, who, unob
served, had managed to get the bottle back in 'You will get what medicine you require
her pocket, looked bewildered from one to the here. Out with that bottle immediately.'
D
'There you are.' arm and went off with them, while Else huddled
Else gave up the bottle.
herself up on the edge of the bed in her chemise,
Thorgren nodded and let Else go at last
' shivering and coughing. She leant her elbows
Finish undressing yourself.'
on her knees and her face on her hands, and
'
But go away then, I'd rather be alone.'
' cried desperately. She therj i heard a gentle
You can go, Thorgren, I'll look after her
rustling and a voice talking sioftly. She raised
myself.' Again shrieks and noises were heard
Thorgren quickly dis her head. There stood the oltf woman looking
in the corridor, and
at her, and a little way off thb young girl, with
appeared.
the white woollen socks and! the heavy head.
Nurse Stenberg placed herself with her back
In one hand she grasped When Else looked up the girl made the same
against the wall.
I shall have to' grimace as before, hiding her face behind her
tightly Else's little bottle.
stay here until, you are■ in bed, Fru Kant,' she
arm and turning her back as if offended, while
she rocked herself to and frb. But the old
said in a gentler voice, 'since that's the kind' of f
woman came quite close to filse, bent over her

patient you are. It's no good coming here with
'
secret opium drops.' •
and whispered gently : He | was so fond of
'Why are these people standing staring at cabbage soup, my son-in-law, you see. I had to
look after the little ones because I'm their grand
me?' Else turned to the open door where
mother. Oh, yes, and the cabbage stood there
several of the creatures in the loose blue cotton
themselves and were and simmered on the kitchen range ; but I could
dresses had stationed
never eat more than three or four spoonfuls,
staring inquisitively.
*
These are only patients.'
no, never more; but I have a, little money in
'
Can't you shut the door, Nurse Stenberg ?
' the saving's My son-in-law got some of
bank.
' it out How long will it be till' the eleventh ? '
That is also against -the rules.'
' '
put her clothes at the
Else undressed and It's just past,' said Else. I
foot of the bed. Then she asked for her bag.

'No; really? 4' Yes, he wasj so very fond of
soup, my son-in-law. But herfc iwe have every-
Nurse Stenberg took the clothes under her
i»'
'
thing so nice and clean. It's a nice place to be
going. The light from the flickering gas jets
in, but we don't get any coffee.' ,
in the wire-netting hurt Else's eyes, and the
Just then Stenberg came back and
Nurse paroxysms of. coughing begah to come on.
'
gave Else a nightdress. What are you doing . Suddenly there came the sound of a piercing
•
'
here, Granny ? she said, taking the old woman shriek, and after that a furious banging, followed
by the arm, and the young girl by the hand, by a confused torrent of words. Else sat up in
and leading them out bed, her heart beat fast with fright, and she
Very soon she returned, and remained watch called Nurse Stenberg. Then she heard quick
V,,
ing Else while she put on her nightdress and
steps in the corridor, and ai door that was shut
went to bed with her stockings on. and locked, while the furious banging went on,
'
'
Can't I have my bag ? Else asked. followed by a torrent of abusive language.
'
No, that remains in my charge.'
Soon after Thorgren came in.
*
But then there are so many things \ want ; '
Who is it making that noise ? ' Else asked.
my watch-key, for instance. Have you taken '
Never you mind that, ju£i lie quiet But I
'
away my watch, too ? must have that' Thorgren took hold of
' like that
It's forbidden to have anything Else's hair ribbon and tried to undo it
here.'
But why on earth —
' '
Else tried to remove
' '
Does the door stand open all night, too ?
Thorgren's hand;- My hair will fall over my
'
'
Both night and day ; those are the rules,' ears and make my head so hot'
answered Nurse Stenberg, and went out But Thorgren insisted on having the ribbon.
Else put her hand behind her neck and looked Else struggled and pleaded.
out on to the corridor where the young girl '
Well, you wait till Nurse, Stenberg comes,'
with the heavy head continued to walk slowly said Thorgren at last
and unsteadily to and fro. From the corridor ' Is she the head nurse ?
'
Else asked.
there came every moment the sound of doors '
Yes, she is the chief assistant'
being closed, windows fastened, mingled with '
Fru Kant won't take off her hair ribbon,'
the sounds of the tramping of feet coming and
'
i
I
54■ PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 55
said Thorgren to Nurse Stenberg who just then Stenberg placed for him, while the younger man
came in. remained standing, looking grave.
'Why can't you let me keep it,' she ex^ Else related her troubles, and told him in
claimed. dignantly how they had torn her clothes off.
'
It's against the rules ; but now we can wait The doctor exchanged a look with Nurse
till the assistant physician comes.' Stenberg and said,—' Take things calmly, Fru
Else lay down again on the pillow, pondering Kant'
'
and racking her brains. '
What could this But this arbitrary treatment j Why should
mean?' Both Nurse Stenberg and Thorgren
had looked as if they were granting her a
j '■
I be among these lunatics ?
'
, j • ' *
The doctor smiled indulgently. 'We can't

favour by allowing her to keep that paltry hair begin to differentiate at once.'
'
ribbon, and when Nurse Stenberg went away, They have taken away everything from me,'
Thorgren remained with one hand on

standing, Else went on, 'and now they tell me that I
'
the pillow close to the hair ribbon. Either they may not keep even my hair ribbon I
must take a pleasure in teasing her, or they The doctor reflected and looked again ■at
must be utter idiots. Nurse Stenberg. '
How long is this ribbon ? '
Gradually the women in the blue dresses dis he said.
appeared from the corridor, and some one Else undid the ribbon and handed it to him.
moved about,
arranging and putting things 'We shall cut it in two. You can manage
' '
straight with the half, can't you ? ! i •
Then the assistant physician came, a man of '

Yes, certainly, if that will give you any satis
thirty years of age, with an'olive complexion, full faction,' Else contemptuously.
answered It
dark beard, and bright phlegmatfceyes. He wore seemed to her that the doctor had no more sense
a long, loose, linen coat, and a young man who than the others.
came in behind him wore the'.'same costume. The ribbon was cut and the shortest length
He said 'Good-evening' in a friendly manner, returned to Else. She twisted it round her
and seated himself on a chair which Nurse plait while the doctor gave instructions about
. i.
57
:>6 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS
cjnly
the sleeping draught and then went off, followed hair,
'
if you will be quiet and
her
by the grave young man. Else lay there full of good.'
i
I
straight
rage and pained surprise that the doctor had not Thank you,' Else murmured, looking
'
'
said she was to be moved, and had not shown in front of her.
'
:'
the slightest indignation at the treatment she was fairly quiet now. The; gas jets were
It
with
lowered, and a young, grace fur nurse
a
had been subjected to. But to-morrow the
Else sleeping
professor would come and — Knut — Oh dear! oh heavy knot of fair hair, gave
a
dear ! if only the night was over I draught
['
>
number of nurses have here,
'
My name is Nurse Hansen. i I am going to 'What
a
tjhey
Is that shall
it
I
take your temperature,' said a quiet voice.
'
Else said surprised. withjyou
Else, who had shut her eyes on account of the have most to do
'
?
am on
flickering gas jets over the door of the opposite Yes, during the night, as Idng as
I
'
cell, opened them wide and saw a pair of beauti During the day will bk: Thorgren that
it
duty.
ful blue eyes in a gentle,. Madonna-like face, will look after you.'
Is quiet during the night
'
framed in wavy golden hair, bending over her.
?
it
'
' '
"
No, Frli Kant, in this
Oh, do leave me alone,' she implored. I The nurse smiled.
'
never quiet You can
part of the hospital
is
it
am so tired.'
'
No, dear FrueI am obliged to do it It is
; hear that for yourself.'
something
A terrific banging was heard. as
if
only the matter of a moment and won't hurt'
the. floor, and
Else would have liked to put her arms round were being thrown violently oh
Nurse Hansen's neck and ask her to stay with the nurse ran out
were
it
Else had felt the hard bangiilgas
if
a
her all night Her gentle face and friendly
in tied, wringing her
treatment did her good, . but■ Nurse Hansen physical pain. She sat up
wailing cry
nodded kindly and went hands as she listened to the painful
came from
Then Nurse Stenberg came and bade her that followed the banging. The cry
was heard
an old piping voice, and in between
'
good-night, and shook hands with her. I will
nurse.
do all I can for you, Fru Kant,' she said, stroking the soothing Hush of the young
'
'
HIERONIMUS 59
58 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR
' Suenson angrily,

You ought to lie down, Fru Kant,' said the •Now then!' said Nurse
nurse somewhat crossly, when she returned after hastening to the woman,
whom she hurried
'
a while. Here you must take things as they are.' oft". . ,
' '
But, my God ! why am I here ? Else stretched short, dark-haired
Shortly afterwards came a
linen coat, and sat
her clenched hands over her head. clinical assistant in a white
and
Else's side. He began to question
' '
Yes, why have you come here ? said the down by
nurse carelessly. examine her. , . ,
Else began to tell eagerly how it came about, ' nobody who wants to do you harm ?
Is there
, '
but she noticed that the nurse was not listening he said. ■
to stop her
'No,'' said Else, biting her .lips
'
to her, and broke off with the question : What
he
is your name?' tears could not understand what
She
'There's no one
meant, but 'added, however,
'
Nurse Suenson.'
' ' Perhaps you mean
What was that noise outside ? wishes to do me any harm.
'
Do you call that a noise ?
'
Nurse Suenson some one here?' j.
It you? the
•No one who follows or persecutes
'
smiled slightly. is only the bed cradle that
the itone of one who
'
she is throwing on the floor. A very gentle, old assistant continued, in
bag oT bones who is so ill that she can't bear the understood the whole matter.
thought Else, and
bedclothes on her, but for all that she is a dear •He thinks lam mad!'
old thing, and always has delusions about her turned away her head.
on her chest
little Alma. That must have been her daughter.' The doctor continued to hammer
'
O, my God my God
'
Else cried in a sudden listen with his stethoscope
while he went on
! ! and
frenzy of terror, throwing herself half out of the asking questions. At last he had finished
'
Else called,
Are you there, Nurse Suenson
?
bed and taking hold of Nurse Suenson, who had '
A steps died away in

turned her back to the door. long, white as the sound of the doctor's
figure draped in a blanket, and with dark wisps the corridor.
here reading.' Nurse
of hair hanging outside her nightgown, was •Yes, I am sitting
standing there making faces. small fair head was visible for a
Suenson's
■
*■•■i
moment in the doorway. '

You must go to sleep Else nestled up to Nurse Suenson, and hid
now, Fru Kant' her face on her shoulder. 'Is there no one
'Sleep!' Else down there to speak kindly to them as there is

thought How was that
possible? She who under the most favourable here?'
conditions had some difficulty in sleeping, and 'That would be no use. ■They are maniacs
who continually felt in her throat this
tickling who must have it out Now, dear Fru Kant,
sensation forcing her to cough. Knut should don't be afraid ; you understand, don't you, that
'
know about this. »..
no one can come up" here ?
A desperate
longing for husband and child 'Yes, I know that well enough.' Else lay
overcame her. It was like a pain in her heart down full of fear, and began to toss her head
and an agonising weight on her chest
She about on the pillow. 'Of course, they are
could scarcely breathe. locked in as we are. But I can't help it I am
'
Then suddenly came the sound of a thunder so afraid Oh, my God Again she clung to
/
! !
ing beating, wild shrieking, and harsh abuse. It Nurse Suenson.

seemed to Else that it came from
immediately ,' you would only go to sleep, Fru Kant
If
below her bed. She sat up in sudden fear. Listen, it is quieter now.' , .
Nurse Suenson ! ' she exclaimed.

' '
He is still shouting horribly.'
'
Hush, it's only some one down below,' said ' Well, he must
stop some, time. So lie down.
Nurse Suenson, who came in gasping for breath. - Don't you feel at all drowsy after your sleeping
'It's very noisy here. Only you lie down draught ?
'
quietly. They can't do you any harm.' '

Not in the least'
'
Are they lunatics down below too ?
'
Nurse Suenson put the bedclothes round Else.
'
Yes, that is the men's ward.' '
You have got your stockings on,' she said
'
Well, they are worse than ever this astonished. 'How is that?' She tried to take
evening.'
The shrieks and banging grew louder and fiercer. them off.
Some one was holding forth in a piercing ' I'd rather
keep them on because my feet are
voice,
rolling out oaths and invectives. so cold.'
:i••
'
But that's not allowed, Fru Kant I don't red-brown mixture, and again eagerly demanded
understand — and garters — long black garters.' the garters.
Nurse Suenson looked quite concerned. '
But why — why ?
'
Else sat up in bed, and put her feet under her. i ■ The answer was evasive. At last it flashed
'
Yes, garters,' she said. 'What harm is there in on Else that they were afraid she would commit
'
garters ? suicide.
Nurse Suenson looked at Else, and her fair But you wanted to swallow the contents of
'
young face began to look dubious. '

No,' she an opium bottle just now,' said Nurse Suenson,
'
said at last, I dare not ; it's my duty to be sus 'and we have been told to keep an eye upon
picious.' She suddenly made a grab at the you.' :. '•
garters. Else lay there speechless. That was why
'
Suspicious I Else looked bewildered.' Hush, Nurse Stenberg and the plump little Thorgren
who is that coming ? ' • had rushed on her as if she had been a criminal.
'
It's the doctor who is going the round for the And the scene with the hair ribbon, and the
night' Nurse Suenson covered Else up. 'Do doctor's looks at Nurse Stenberg ! Knut must
not mention the garters,' she whispered.
told Hieronimus about it then. Yes, would
*
■It will - have
to God that he had kept quiet about it She

go hard with Thorgren if this is found out' She
went out to the corridor from which Else heard
felt uneasy and humiliated, as if she had had an
the sound of subdued talking. undeserved punishment publicly inflicted upon
When the doctor came, he expressed his her.
regret
that Else was not asleep, though it was '
You can imagine that strange things happen
past
eleven. here now and then,' Nurse Suenson went on,
' '
Is that all ? ___ , '
and if anything does go wrong, it's we nurses
'Try now to go to sleep ; I will give you a: that get the blame. Thorgren was quite white
stronger dose.' with fear at the thought of what might have
When the doctor had gone away, Nurse
happened.'
Suenson gave Else another dose of the nauseous '
Yes, now I understand it all,'■ Else mumbled.
r
' '
But it's all the same to me, for to-morrow I :
Don't be angry,' Else implored, stretching
shan't be here any longer.' out her hand. ' I did not know it was forbidden,
'Do you think so?' said Nurse Suenson, and I was so frightened I had to get up.'
looking dubious. 'Do you think they will be quiet now?' Else
A piercing shriek penetrated to them. asked, as she got back into bed.
'There, now, she has got the cramp again,'
'
I have told you already, Frue, that it is never
said Nurse Suenson, rushing out in the corridor quiet in this part of the hospital.'
where Else heard her remonstrating with some She had scarcely stopped speaking when the
one, while the shrieks grew louder, and sounded noise below began again louder than ever.
as if somebody were being throttled. Else was almost distracted.
Else could not keep still any longer. '
She Do, please, stay here, dâr Nurse Suenson.'
left her bed, and struggling against her desire to '
No, I must go now to get my dinner. We
scream, went out into the corridor where she sleep during the day when we are on night duty,
saw Nurse Suenson carry off a howling woman, so we have to have dinner during the night'
' '
who, her body rigid, and her chemise torn, was What are you going to have to-night?
'
being dragged along the floor. They disap Soup and meat'
peared into one of the cells. Else sat down on '
Oh, do let me have some too.'
the edge of a chair and pressed her hand to her '
I dare not'
heart which was beating as if it would leap from ' But I hungry. I couldn't
am so "frightfully
her breast After a considerable time the touch the bread and butter that they brought
shrieks subsided and Nurse Suenson again me. Only a little bit ; nobody will know.'
appeared. She gave a slight start when she But it was in vain. Nurse Suenson assured
'
caught sight of Else and said angrily, Dear regretfully that she dared not do nor
it,
her
me, is that you, Fru Kant? You must never ought she to stay so long with one patient, she
get outof bed, never. If you do I shall have to added.
complain of you, and then they will be stricter
with you.'
-
E
;
m
'
PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS G7
'
Then I
should have the professor down on
.
me,' said Nurse Suenson, as if it were out of the

question.
'
But my soap and comb and tooth-brush.'
'
Nurse Stenberg has got them. You must do
without them to-day,' said Nurse Suenson, as she
CHAPTER VI opened the window with a long pole, and began
hastily to wash the window-sill and woodwork of
LittlE by little the night slipped away. Every the door, while Else, to be able to reach the
half-hour or so, Nurse Suenson came into basin, had to lie on her knees on the bed, feeling
Else's room and always found her wide awake. so cold that her teeth chattered.
'Now there has been almost half-an-hour's Then she had to get out of bed while it was
quiet,' said Nurse Suenson, coming back again, being made, and later some tea was brought her,
'
and yet you are not asleep.' and a few pieces of bread and butter. Then a
' '
What time is it now ? woman came with a pail and washed the floor.
*
A few minutes past five.' The gas was put out and grey daylight filled
They were stirring about out in the corridor. the cell. At last Nurse Suenson came and
Doors and windows were noisily thrown open. swept the floor with a long broom.
Tables and chairs were pushed aside, and there '
Have you also to clean the cells ?
'
Else
was a sound of washing and splashing with wet asked. ■
„
cloths. Else felt every sound like a stab through 'Yes,' said Nurse Suenson, panting as she
her heart while the gas jet over the door flickered went on sweeping. 'The only thing we don't
worse than ever and made her heavy eyes smart: have to do is to wash the floors and then the
;
Nurse Suenson brought Else a towel and some patients have tea, and the most of them have
water in a very small basin. to be washed and dressed and looked after in
'
Bring me my clothes so that I can get up,' every way.
'
Else implored ; I am so tired of being in bed.' Nurse Stenberg went her morning round of
6S PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 69
'
the cells. I hope you have slept well,' she half circle some distance off. Behind stood
said to Else without listening to the answer. Nurse Stenberg and little Thorgren with their
'
I must say good-morning, Fru Kant' Nurse hands crossed in front of them, looking as if
Suenson shook hands. they had been placed there as solemn wit
'How tired you must be,' said Else, looking nesses.
closely at the nurse's young, delicate, face which Hieronimus Else's pulse and asked her
felt
was pale and hollow. some general questions which she answered in
'Yes, so I am. I have been sitting up for monosyllables, painfully embarrassed by the in
'
seven nights and seven more remain. We have quisitive stare of the young men. Why do so
'
a fortnight's night duty.' many men stand there ? she asked crossly.
'
Else felt tired out and sank into a doze from '
They are doctors,' said Hieronimus. Do
which she was roused almost every moment you suffer from constipation?.^
The patients were quieter now, but there was Instead of answering, Else began complaining
a continual sound of doors being opened, of the of her experiences during the night and said
creaking and banging of windows, of the tramp that she could not stand being there.
ing and squeaking of footsteps, of rattling of 'Has she not slept?' Hieronimus turned to
' •
keys and human voices, and every noise sounded Nurse Stenberg. i ■
' '
piercing and loud in this bare and re-echoing Slept ! Else remarked indignantly.
room, and seemed to send ripples of ice and 'Well, then, you can sleep now,' said Hieroni
fire through Else's body. mus, as he rose. I „
After the lapse of some hours Hieronimus '

Then, too, they have taken away my clothes,
'
at last stepping briskly and lightly,
came and won't let me get up I i ,
dressed in a long white linen coat He was Hieronimus went towards ithe, door, and his
followed by five or six students, who looked followers stepped politely aside.
'
like baker's boys in their white uniforms. '
May I not speak to you ? Else cried.
Hieronimus sat down on a chair by the bed, Hieronimus half turned. 'Not just now,' said
while the white-coated procession formed a he, waving his hand. He then left the cell
■.<
:■!
■■■
TO PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 71
swiftly and lightly as he had entered, followed clean old granny was to be seen now and then
by his white-robed escort chattering to herself and nodding.
Else counted the minutes, while hour after The time passed, but Hieronimus did not •
hour she patiently waited for Hieronimus. appear. Neither did Knut Else listened
she
feverishly to every step outside, to hear
if
Thorgren brought her tea and plain bread and
butter, the same as she had had in the morning, could not recognise her husband's. The patients
and bent her rosy, ever-smiling face over her had begun again to be noisy. The sound of
laughing, kicking,
'
with her hands stuck in between her knees. • resounding howls, wild
ij
.' It won't be so bad,
you willFru Kant If tramping, barking, and banging penetrated to
only be calm, we shall soon be friends, you'll her every moment Else began to differentiate
see. Now you must eat' the different noises.
ij
'
I V."1 Dinner Was brought, ant! Else discovered
it
can't.'
*
'
Oh yes, just a little, won't you ? ' was three o'clock. In despair she began to cry,
She put her head on one side, and smiled still for now Knut would noli come to-day. The
more brightly. hour for visiting was between eleven and twelve.
Nursa Stenberg too came and talked firmly While she was crying, Nurse Hansen with the
and tempted her to eat But still Else shook Madonna face, came and asked how she was.
her head, and longed only for the professor Thorgren was off duty that afternoon, and Nurse
Hansen was taking her Work. Else broke out
to come. *'
At the yellow table which stood just outside into loud complaints. Nurse Hansen grasped
Else's door in the corridor, one of the white- both her hands, pressed them kindly, and whis
am so sorry for you, Fru Kant, and
it
coated men was busy with some test tubes pered,
'
I
which he was filling with "different coloured because have your interests so much at heart
is
I
water. The young girl with the heavy head that am always imploifing you to be calm.
I
and the white-stocking feet was walking as on The more patient and quieter you are, the
will be better. To fret lure no
is
the evening before, swaying to and fro, and the sooner you
will only make matters worse.'
It
good at all.
f
!
-
'
But, surely they can't possibly Else lay
keep me lying . The afternoon dragged wearily on.
here another night,' Else
cried; 'that would be in dumb despair whilst the longing for husband
enough to drive me mad.'
and child again came over her. She had never
Nurse Hansen looked at her cause such a strong
sadly with known that longing could
her large beautiful eyes, which
reminded Else physical pain. It was as if Kant and Tage both
a little of Karin in the
Swedish folk songs, but lay invisibly on her breast, and crushed her to
said nothing.
'
pieces, Little Tage ! What would he be doing
Don't you feel certain that the professor
will now? Oh! if she could get ;a glimpse of him,
order me to be moved when I have
had a proper even if it were only from afar ! !
talk with him?'
The windows were opened out in the cor
Nurse Hansen shook her head.
'Don't ex ridors and in the cells. Else crouched together
pect your husband either, Fru
Kant On this under the covering to protect herself from the
side no visitors are allowed.
Shi' Nurse draught
Hansen put her finger on her mouth, and
went After the lapse of half-an-hour, the windows
off just as Nurse Stenberg entered.
were closed again, and some one came tramping
Nurse Stenberg tried to persuade Else to along corridor, carrying i something which
the
take her food. It would
never do for her to lie .was placed against the wall with a bang and
there without taking nourishment She took taken up again at short intervals. At the same
Else firmly under her arms, and put the
tray in time, the shutters were fastened and a yellow
her lap. It was rye-meal porridge without light came in. Soon afterwards the tramping
sugar, and with milk to dip it
into, and a tiny and the loud banging were explained. It "was
little plaice floating in melted
butter. a man with a ladder who was lighting the gas
Else swallowed a few spoonfuls
^ of the por jets over the cell doors.
ridge, but the plaice did not smell
fresh, and Then suddenly Professor Hieronimus entered.
when she took a bit in her
mouth, she had to He had an overcoat and carried, a stick, and
spit it out again. It had a nasty All
taste and had Else was irritated by the signs of haste.
been cooked without salt •
s,
the same a gleam of hope seemed to flash '

I wouldn't let him. You do get a sleeping
through her. draught, don't you ?
'
Hieronimus went towards
'
Thank God that you have come,' she said. the door.
coming
I Wouldn't allow him— but why ? Is he
'
hope you are better now,' Hieronimus '
began with his thin, quick voice. to-morrow then ?

'
She sat up in bed and called
' *
No,' said Else ; how could that be possible ? after Hieronimus.
curtly and
It's terrible here.' 'No, not to-morrow,' sounded j
'Terrible? On the contrary, it is very nice coldly from Hieronimus.

'
here.' Hieronimus' tone was reproachful. '
When will he come then ?
*
You ought to think that it is nice and then it .' We shall see.'. ;
will seem so. You haven't been so well lately, Hieronimus was gone.
'
have you ?
'
No,' said Else ;
'
but here I shall never be
better.'
'
But surely there has been trouble between
you and your husband. Have you nothing to
'
complain of, nothing to urge against him ?
'
No,' whispered Else, bursting into tears.
*
Is he a good husband and kind father ?
'
Has he not given you cause for jealousy ?
'
No ; he is an excellent man in every respect,'
Else stammered out ' But he had promised to
~'~
"~-
come to-day.'
*
Yes ; he has been to inquire after you,' said
Hieronimus, and spoke even more quickly than
before.
' '
But why didn't he come and see me ?
! : .
!
but perhaps he wanted to test her, to try how

patient she could be. Oh, no, nonsense ; surely
this was not a reformatory she had got into.
But suppose Hieronimus made that his duty.
Perhaps he went round with a burning desire to
help and reform, to get results which should
astonish people and prove that he was worthy
CHAPTER VII
the reputation he had His manner and ap
? •
'WE shall see; we shall see —
The words
'
pearance were so obviously those of a pedagogue
echoed in Else's ears as she kept clenching her or a theologian. No ; but surely he was not so
hands. Oh, this gnawing at her heart ! young as to act on dreams and theories.Surely
'
This is a very nice place to be in. life must have/ taught even him that the only
Granny stood before the bed with her clean, 1
. thing that is worth knowing is that one knows
skinny hands clasped on the smooth-folded nothing.

handkerchief, and shook her old night-capped '
We shall see, we shall see.' Now she under
head as if in grateful wonder. '
So clean and so stood. He wanted to surprise her to-morrow
nice here; but we don't get any coffee. We with Knut's sudden appearance in the cell.
don't " We shall see— we shall see—" No, but Yes, that was it
it,
that was
surely he must have been joking. Yes, of course, But, oh dear! how unpardonable was to
it
of course.' "
treat her thus If he had told her that Knut
!
Else went on clenching her hands so hard that would come to-morrow, she could, at least, have
the knuckles crackled. slept to-night, but now No, Hieronimus was
!
'
Can they make jokes in such a place as this—, not such clever man as she had thought
a
this block, as they call it?' And Hieronimus, And now she had the night to look forward
he didn't look much like joking either. And to, the night, the night, another night in this
besides, he knew that it couldn't be good for her place.
to lie there and— No, it couldn't be a joke. No 'Well, Fru Kant, how are you getting on?'
78 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR h
HIERONIMUS 79
The assistant doctor gave Else's shoulder a in the cells, and Nurse Suenson appeared to go
friendly slap. 'Out of taste with life, are on night duty.

you?'
'
How have you been to-day ? ' she asked.
'
How brutal some of these people are, Else Terribly bad,' said Else, grasping the nurse's
'
thought, but discovering a flint of compassion in hand. ■■, I
the doctor's phlegmatic eyes, she inwardly ex 'You were so certain that you wouldn't be
cused him. here to-day,' said the nurse with a sad smile.
'
Well, to-night wc shall be able to make you
'
Now, you see, I thought you might have been
sleep,' said the doctor. 'You shall have a moved.'

'
double dose.' How do you think the night Will go, Nurse
'
'
I had that last night' Suenson ?
'
Well, then, you shall have
triple one. Doa 'As usual, of course. Here is your sleeping
not imagine that you can't sleep. What is there draught'
to prevent it? You have a comfortable bed 'Must I take it? I shari't sleep any
and everything you can want I'll look in on how.' ,:•,'.
you when I make the round for the night' . The nurse held the mixture to Else's mouth.
Nurse Hansen removed the tray with the 'You must never say no to Anything here.
supper, tea and plain bread and butter, which You will find that the best for yourself in the
Else had not touched. end.' I; .
'What a pity it is that you don't eat any And then began the horrors 6f the previous
thing,' she said. night The same yells and shrieks, the same
*
I can't get it down,' Else answered. thumping and banging, the same fury of in
Now things were being prepared for the night, human howls
penetrating from the maniacs
and everything happened just as on the previous below. Every moment Else started up in bed,
night The blue-gowned figures disappeared struggling with her fears. Every time Nurse
from the corridor. The gas jets were screwed Suenson came in to her, she felt relieved and
down. Nurse Stenberg went the evening rounds always asked her not to leave her.
■. ■ • .
■■
■ . • r
: . :-.'_V..'-- W-
HO PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 81
A little past eleven the doctor came round leave me in peace, and I will go toj sleep. The
again. 'Well, aren't you asleep?' draught only makes me worse.'
'The professor said that my husband would '
She is certainly mad,' the doctor muttered as
not come to-morrow either,' said Else. 'Do
'':i
he hurried off.
you think that he was joking?'
Heavy despair weighed on Else's! heart She
'Try to Fru Kant Why are
calm down, looked at the high window whose small panes
you so uneasy in your mind?'
produced the impression of iron bars, and she
'Uneasy! but don't you understand I am thought of all the locked doors' which shut in
'
being tortured to death here ? this awful prison. She could not cry, she was
'
If you would only sleep, you would feel no too tired to speak to Nurse Su'enjson who had
torture ! ' out the sleeping draught to
come in, and held
If
'
Sleep I Listen how they are yelling and her, and gently and tehderly covered her up.
shouting, and whenever there is a moment's only she had kept her faith and had been able
quiet my cough comes on.' to pray to the God of her childhood and youth
!
'
What fancies ! Let me examine your lungs.' That would have brought her peace and consola
The doctor took out a stethoscope like the one tion. Her heart swelled at the memory of the
that had been used by the clinical clerk the many times in former days that she had found
evening before. You have excellent lungs.
'
The tears
in
consolation and strength prayer!
Nothing at all the matter with them ; don't let came streaming, warnTand soothing, and invol
me hear any more about a cough.'
untarily she folded her hands. Oh why had
!
'
Well, send home and ask my husband, or He
Christ forsaken her She remembered how
I
ask Nurse Suenson. Do you think I am telling had suffered, how without murmur He had
a
you lies ?
'
__
— gone to shameful death, and His life and death
a
'Well, well, don't lose your temper. Now, had been to many people, whether they had be
you shall have another dose to make you sleep.' lieved or not, of patience in
supreme example
a
The doctor went away.
suffering.
'
No, I won't have it,' Else shouted, '
Only Her eyes
A
soothing quiet came over her.
i,'
F
closed, and she was just on the point of going she had been and how important it was that she
off to sleep when a piercing shriek frightened should have quiet nights. She was being treated
her awake. The cold cut like a broad ice-cold in exactly the same way as the insane, and for
knife through her spinal marrow. She rushed her who was not insane that was worse than
out of bed, and called for Nurse Suenson, but being in a reformatory.
then remembered that it was forbidden to get '
But, Fru Kant \ Now I thought at last you
'
out of bed, and hurried back again. were asleep.'
The noise went on. When one stopped Nurse Suenson had■ slipped in and stood in
another began, and down below they were like front Of Else.
people possessed. By-and-bye, Else felt as if '
Even if there is quiet for a moment, I can't
she had been crushed and bruised to pieces. At sleep for the cough,' Else answered.
last it was as if the noise and shrieking were '
I haven'tiioticed your cough. There is such
inside her. Her body seemed to be. rent, her
t»:
a noise here.' , .
head seemed to swim, and meanwhile at a Is the professor coming early to-morrow
'
sudden and penetrating shriek it
particularly morning?'
was as if she were sinking deep down and were •No, it's the other doctor. The professor
being slowly lifted up again. But there was one won't come till the evening.'
compensation: as long as she was whirled on these Again Else sank into deep despair. So she
billows of terrors, her cough did not come on. would have to endure another whole day in this
As on the previous night, the patients became place, tired to death, tossing about without
quieter towards morning, and immediately Else getting wink of sleep, shut in within these
a
began to cough. walls from which no message or shriek could
She thought of the professor. She could not reach those outside! To lie on this hard bed
understand that he who was a doctor and to while she couldn't find any rest for her aching
whom she had turned for help and advice, could limbs, staring in front of her through that open
allow her to lie there, exposed to all these heart door out at the cell corridor and the blue-robed
rending outbreaks. He who knew how sleepless figures! And Knut would not come the
whole long day! She had also asked Nurse sively to this thought She' kept on repeating
Suenson if it that the pro
had been possible over and over again all that she meant to say
fessor had been joking, or wanted to surprise until she knew it by heart She anticipated what
her, and the nurse's answer had removed all her Hieronimus would answer, • forming his words
doubt. Oh, Knut, Knut, why did he let them into carefully constructed sentences. Tears of
treat her like this ? But perhaps Hieronimus longing for him came into■ her eyes, of kindly
really thought that she was mad. After all, he feeling for him, for this man who was so clever
had scarcely spoken to her, so he could not and so human, whose life and strength were
know. How strange it was, moreover, that he dedicated to the most unhappy amongst his
did not take more trouble to make sure about fellow creatures, for whom he felt more goodwill
her state of mind ; whether it was really neces than he could express. Yes, to-morrow evening
sary to keep her in a cell, for unless it was would bring her release. She would get a quiet
urgently necessary, one would not be brought room in another place where it would be im
here. possible for her to see and hear all this disturb
Or perhaps he thought that she wanted to ance and misery, where she could live peaceably
commit suicide with those opium drops. The as a convalescent with one of these kind nurses,
others had thought so, but now they knew and have daily talks with Hieronimus. Patience,
better. She had fully explained the matter both patience, the day would pass somehow. The
to the assistant doctor and to Nurse Stenberg, thing to do was to concentrate all her strength
and they had, of course, told the professor. No, and all her energy to be able to hold out until
Else could not make head or tail of it Hieronimus came. ■! .
But when Hieronimus came to-morrow evening,

she would speak persuasively and calmly to him ;
she would try to move the misunderstanding

which now most likely lurked in his mind. This
at least she could do, and she felt sure that it would
be her last night in the cell. She clung convul
u*i
came Now perhaps it was eight o'clock. From

!
i: eight to twelve was four hours, from twelve to

half-past seven, eleven and a half, Eleven and
a half hours I Oh I well, that wasn't so bad after
all!
'
'
How are things going with you, Fru Kant ?
It was Nurse Hansen with the Madonna face who

CHAPTER VIII
inquired.
Morning came at last Doors were banged, the 'Don't ask me, don't speak toj me,' said Else
windows were thrown open, ■and the
draught crossly. 'All the lot of you arc paid to torture
swept through the cells. The woman with the me.'
pail and washing cloth was '
Dear Frue, we all wish to do what is best for
splashing about in
the corridor, and Nurse Suenson was you. Believe me, it is true.' She bent down
rushing
to and fro in a perpetual to Else and looked kindly at her.
hurry, bringing
water for washing, and tea, '
Oh, but I am in such horrible agony,' said
assisting the patients
and cleaning the cells. Nurse Stenberg went Else, her eyes full of tears. 'To lie here and
.
round among the patients and know how outrageously wrong the whole thing
everything went
on just as on the previous is and to know that one is powerless.'
morning. Else lay
quietly on the pillow with closed eyes and hands 1
Yes, I can understand that very well. But
folded on her breast She was so tired that her take no notice of it Everything here is inter
body felt almost paralysed and her head preted as insanity. Only lie still, be quiet and
swam
and felt like ice. Oh, if she could
only get half- good.'
an-hour's sleep! But that ~was impossible. •' I am quiet, I lie here as quietly as a mouse.
Either there were the shrieks of the patients '
If only you could win over the professor, he
or
the footsteps in the corridors and is kind to those he likes.'
the rattle of
keys and the sound of doors being To those he likes,' said Else astonished ; ' but
'
opened and
shut again. But to-night when they are ill and insane those who come here.'
Hieronimus
k
-
■
'
Yes, yes, yes ! I only advise you because I When the doctor came 'tjound Else asked
like you. Will you have the Berlinger News? permission to get up.
Perhaps I may venture to let you read ■r
'What for?' asked the doctor. 'You are
that' much better in bed.'
•No, thank you, I'd rather have you. Sit 'But it's outrageous when there is nothing
down and talk to me.' the matter with me. How shall I make time
'I dare not I
belong to the quiet ward, and
; pass? I have been lying here now for forty
only came in for a few moments to see you.' hours and not a wink of sleep have I had.'
A big lazy fly kept buzzing above the door The doctor looked inquiringly at Nurse Sten-
and tried in vain to penetrate through the wire berg who, as usual, was present at the round.
grating which enclosed the gas jets where a thin '
No, Fru « Kant won't sleep,' said Nurse
ray of sunlight played in all colours of the rain Stenberg jokingly.
'
She has■ also got a slight
bow. Else followed its movements with her cough, I hear.'
tired eyes, and thought how stupid it was not •Well, well, sleep will come in time. Only
to
sit down quietly, and wait until the window was have patience. Good morning, Frue.' The
opened, when it could fly out and gain its doctor went out into the corridor to the yellow
liberty— liberty ! It had never occurred to her table, where he busied himself over his test-
what a world of happiness that word expressed. tubes.
'
Now, I did hear you cough , Frue,' he
Only the day before yesterday she was walking said, suddenly -returning to Else. 'You shall
about freely without feeling it have some cough mixture.'
thankful for It
was an eternal truth that nothing had its true She got the cough mixture and her breakfast,
value until it was lost Suddenly the fly turned
plain bread and butter and tea, which she
round and flew straight against her bed, and the scarcely touched.
next moment it made straight for her face. '
Now perhaps they will be quiet for a while,'
Startled, she waved her hand and hit the fly, said Nurse Stenberg, removing the breakfast
which fell on the floor, where it crawled '
Try now if you can't get a little sleep.'
away tray.
and disappeared. i. Else turned to the wall and almost im-
I
mediately began to dose off. But' a moment why this one is being moved. She won't go off
after she started up at a slight rattling sound to St Jorgen till to-morrow morning.'
from the corridor. The sound came again and Half-an-hour later the new patient arrived.
again at short intervals, and in the unusual It sounded to Else as if a fight were going on
stillness appeared sharp and penetrating. At outside. A shrill female voice was heard howl
last she raised herself on her elbow and looked scolding and threatening,
and
ing desperately
out on to the corridor. There sat Nurse while they came along the corridor struggling
Stenberg reading the newspaper. and dragging some. one.
'What an impossible person you are,' said 'Who dares touch me?' Else heard. 'I am
Nurse Stenberg, when to her question whether going to tear to pieces any one who comes near
she had slept, Else answered 'No.' Where is my husband? Carl! Carl! help,
me.
As the hours dragged on Else got her dinner, help, save me, don't you hear, Carl ? Oh, my
rye-meal porridge and boiled fish, just as on the God, my God, mother, mother I I am not
previous day. She could swallow only a few allowed to take off my things. Let me be, let
mouthfuls. In the afternoon she heard wailing me alone.'
and whimpering in the next cell. This went on for long time, but at last there
a
'Who that crying in there?' she asked
is was silence. Then Else heard this shrill voice
Nurse Stenberg when she came in to her. call out, ' You lady out there,' and asking to
'
Some one who is going to St Jorgen.' see the professor.
'
Doesn't she want to go ? ' Then when Nurse Stenberg had answered,
Want to go ! They never want to go.' the voice cried out, Yes, you rrtay be sure that
*
'Poor soul I Fancy being sent to St Jorgen.' I shall complain to the professor. Surely he is
Else shuddered. a gentleman who knows what is due to a lady.'
'
Oh, that's nothing. St Jorgen is quite a Else trembled with fear and compassion. Ah,
yes, the professor, if only he would come
nice place.' at
'Will her cell stand empty then?' last
'
No, they expect another patient That's At last he came, followed by Nurse Stenberg.
.
9* PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 93
As on the first morning, he put some general % pressly some linen and a few toilet arrangements,
questions to Else and was then going away, but nothing more.'
she asked if she might speak alone with •
I misunderstood you then,' Else stammered.
him. '
I mean I did not have time to ask, and my
In a moment he whisked out soquickly that husband did not know it either. He himself
his long white coat to bring some
flapped round his legs. gave me the books and promised
Some minutes later he came back and sat down more when he came■'
by Else's bed. •
said Hieronimus, with a mocking ex
Hra !
'
'
I
should so like to explain to you about the
pression on his thin, beardless mouth.
incident of the opium drops the other •He thinks I am lying," Else thought, as
evening,'
Else began, and then told the whole
story tonished.
minutely, ending by saying, ' If you would ask 'You can ask my husband,' she said in a voice
my husband, you would find out that it is true that trembled with, suppressed mortification.
that I
have at times taken opium for my cough. *
Besides, I can't possibly hold out here ; for one
N.othing else did any good.' I don't get any sleep.'
thing,
'
All right, but you won't get any opium here,' '
Really, and why ?
'
said Hieronimus quickly, in his dry, thin voice, '

Only to think of coming from one's quiet,
which sounded as if it came from a diseased comfortable bedroom to thisl'
chest i The professor interrupted her sharply and
'
No, of course not,' said Else, in a humble and dryly.
bewildered voice. '
you achieved in your quiet
That quietness
•
Above all, you must learn to control yourself,' bedroom both for yourself and your husband,
Hieronimus continued, in a reproachful tone. the less said of it the better, don't you think
'
The beginning was not very promising. You so?'
brought with you books and pictures and a lot *
But then I slept a little in the morning, any
of things that you had not permission to how.'
bring.
That was against the agreement I said ex- '
As far as I can remember, your husband
II
■.'-.. ill
94 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR klElftONIMUS 9«
t
said that you kept on making
till seven
i
scenes have only to do with ybu. You must make
'
I
or eight in the morning.'
the servants obey. That your affair.'
is
Else felt humiliated
by this way that Hieroni- I'm afraid that beyond me, Herr Professor.'
is
'
mus had of placing her
"in
the dock and cross- 'You shall. And the windows — are there
i
examining her. hooks missing?' ;,ii :-M
Well, after eight o'clock, then,' she said
' Yes, hooks are missing
ih
with few places.'
'
a
trembling lips. But here there 'This How negligent! Why
'
never quiet too bad.
is
is
night or day.' don't you have
it
■seen to?;'
You are mistaken,' said Hieronimus
'
Herr Pro-
it,
shortly, have given orders £bout
'
,
I
the patients often drop off to i'.,.
'
t
!•) i
sleep for hours at lessor. j}:l
a time.'
It not enough You
tb
give the orders.
is
'
Hours
*
no, not hours,' Else answered. must have them carried idiit Do you under
And
!
'
,
there are all sorts of other noises.'
'
U':;■i
She instanced stand?' .
;|;
.
the banging doors, and
slamming windows and Yes, Herr Professor.
'
:
the gasman who tramped about,
and the foot And the gasman, does he go about in heavy
'
steps overhead, and all the rest boots?'
Hieronimus
f:
l.i
.
started up from the chair and in 'Yes, believe that he wears top-boots, Herr
moment was
a
I
standing in the doorway. '"
Professor.'
'
'jji.#
•
Nurse Stenberg,' he called out
'
He must wear slippers. You must see that
'
Nurse Stenberg immediately appeared. he wears slippers and walks quietly.'
•You know that have often said that I'll tell him so, Herr Professor.'
*
the
I
patients should have consideration shown them That

You are responsible 'fdr all that
is
'
and have quiet even in this ward,' then with Fru Kant
Hieronimus your province. How was
it
?
said severely. The patients often complain of Didn't she make a great deal of fuss when she
'
doors being slammed and windows came?'

banged.'
ij
!
It's the servants, Herr Professor.'
'
Not so very much, Herr Professor.'
'
Not so very much,! Of course she made a
'
96 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 9T
scene. I have it from the resident house- wish to torture anybody/ longer than
is
it
physician.' necessary. Besides would be better for him
it
'
But I have explained to you,' began Else, not to see you while you are lying here.'
sitting up in bed and looking at the professor As soon as she could bear What had she
it
!
with wide-open eyes. not to bear and endure night and day in this
'
No, it was really not so bad,' Nurse Stenberg place Else fell back on the pillow and burst
?
came to her rescue. into violent sobbing her heart would break.
if
as
'
Why did you then let her come to this noisy Nurse Stenberg, who' had gone away with
a
'
corridor ? said Hieronimus sharply and per silent mien, came back and sat by her.
emptorily. There, there, dear Frue, don't cry so terribly.
'
'
She had such a strong objection to sharing a There, there, only could do something for
if
I
room —
'
Hieronimus did not let her finish. you.'
/
'
You need not excuse yourself ; what you Else rose up on her knees. She threw herself
did was quite right, and, moreover, it isn't of on 'Nurse Stenberg's neck, and as soon as she
much consequence.' He turned to go. had command over her voice for sobbing, she
'Shall I have to stay here another night?' - said, 'Forgive me, Nurse Stenberg, do forgive
'
Else cried beseechingly. Oh, no, Herr Pro me for having complained about the noises and
fessor. You must not keep me here another other things.' The words came in broken gasps.
night' did not know that was you who would get
it
'
I
'
I think you had better leave me to decide the blame, and did not know that he was such
I
how long you are going to stay here,' Hieronimus man. shall never do again.'
it
a
I
answered with cutting coldness. Nurse Stenberg patted her hair and kissed her
Mayn't I
'
see my husband to-morrow ? Do cheek, and assured her that she need not trouble
'
let me, Herr Professor about that, only she would lie down and be
if
!
Hieronimus, who was already at the door, quiet and patient

turned and said in a milder voice :
'
As soon as
Frue. Believe
it,
you can bear me, do not

I
I:
PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 9■0
existed between them and herself. As soon as

Hieronimus returned they assumed a cold, hard
manner. It Was, indeed, as If the atmosphere
were frozen to ice as soori as he appeared.
'
You must really try to win over the professor,'
they all said to her.
'
If we Were to worship
the ground you .walk on, it would be of no use
CHAPTER IX
if he were against you.'
How good and kind Nurse Stenberg was ! Else 'Win over the professor!'' Else murmured.
had fancied that she went about in this place But was she not a suffering human being who
of suffering without any compassion for the had been entrusted to his care, even if she had
wretched victims, and yet just now when Else had been quite, insane, violent, impossible to manage ?
got her into trouble, she had been kind and Even then how could he be against her.
sympathetic. Else would never forget that No, she could not understahd it And how
The others, too, for the matter of that —the was she to set about winning over the professor ?
plump Thorgren with the merry rosy face— the She had not shown any obstinacy, had only
whole day she had kept running in speaking wept and bemoaned her wretched lot And her
cheerfully and kindly, and had tried in every complaint had been like the foam of the sea
way to show hergood will, not to speak of compared with the sufferings she had already
Madonna— Hansen— whose large eyes shone with endured. Should she show herself humble and
kindness and the most tender compassion. And repentant, prostrate herself before this man who
Nurse Suenson too, the night nurse, whose mere seemed so tyrannical ? Should she appear like
presence seemed to mitigate Else's suffering. a miserable wretch of a subject, who begs an
Thank God for these nurses ! Only to think if unmerited favour from his j sovereign? No, a
they had been like Hieronimus! Else had, thousand times no! Not if she were to be
moreover, the impression that an instinct warned burned at the stake.
them not to reveal the good understanding that But supposing, all the same, that she were now
::!'
■
to appeal Here your sleeping draught, Frue.'
is
it,
'
to try to win him over, as they put
to his kindliness and his sympathy. Surely he Else sat up on the pillow ind took the mix
or he would ture that Nurse Suenson handed her.
must possess both these qualities
right You seem so quiet to-night Are you better
'
surely not have felt himself to be the
'
?
in which his duty, above Else shook her head. Haven't you slept
'
a
man in this place
little to-day
'
was to show consideration and dis
■
?
everything,
}
cretion, to try as far as possible to understand, No have given up trying to sleep. have
'
I
I
;
and by understanding exercise a beneficent and given up everything.'
ji
soothing influence on the patients. Perhaps his She hid her face on Nurse Suenson's breast and
manner was only kind of mask which for some cried till she shook.
,
a
j
reason or other he thought prudent to assume. was almost sure that you would have been
'
it
I
To-morrow morning when he went hisv round moved ^his evening,' said Nurse Suenson.
This not the right ward for you What did
is
she must make another effort.
'
!
The horrors of whole the professor say
'
To-morrow morning
?
I
night lay between now and to-morrow morning. The professor beast Else cried.
is
'
ij'
Another night in this same place. That would 'You should not say that, Frue. The pro
fessor an excellent man. But you must really
is
make the third.
'
try to win him oven'
i;I
Now at home they would be putting Tage to
bedl Oh dear Tage! Knut home! The 'Yes, mustn't she?' said Thorgren, who had
I
I
thought of them gave her pain at her heart come in and was standing besideNurse Suenson
a
She wrung her hands and pressed her face more with her hands on Else's shoulders, shaking her
Little Tage, was he good-naturedly.
ij.
deeply into the pillow.
asking for her? And" Knut— what was Knut Just think what gala day will be when
it
'
a
thinking? Mustn't seem hard to him not to you have won over the professor.'
it
be allowed to see her? He had promised so In the next cell the hew patient went on
faithfully to come. A suppressed groan escaped howling and using abusive language and calling
her, desperately on her Carl, Now she set up
a
j
terrific noise, demanding with curses that the Yes, except for the maniacs, and we don't
'
door should be opened. give them.'
it
'
*
Is she locked in ? Else asked. Do the maniacs never sleep
'
'
?
'Yes, she is so violent She keeps running Yes, but only after the first three, four, five
*
every moment out into the corridor and declares nights.'
she wants to go home.' The hours had slipped by. The patients had
' and the
Yes, she will be a handful,' said Thorgren, kept up din and shrieking as usual,
a
maniacs had been still more noisy, anything,
if
smiling.
'
'
Ugh I said Else shuddering. •
She will than on the previous nights. During the last
knock her hands to pieces.' hour Else had heard no sound from the patient
Now the banging stopped, and they heard in the next cell. Suddenly some one set up a
the sound of a body being heavily thrown against prolonged, never-ceasing moan. It sounded
the floor, followed by the sound of convulsive and hollow came from some
if
subdued as
it
sobbing. one who had been buried alive.
'■.
Won't little?' Nurse Suenson Nurse Suenson
'
you go to her for Else
'
a
!
!
asked. Nurse Suenson came in, munching her dinner.
best for her to have out Who that crying Else asked, with terror
It
She has
is
'
is
'
it
a
'
?
had so much chloral that won't last long.' stricken face.
it
'Good-night, dear Fru Kant' Thorgren Quite a young girl.'
'
]'J
I
shook hands, and patted Why does she moan like that
'
Else on the cheek.
'
?
Good-night, Suenson.' Heaven knows
'
'
!
Sleeping draughts are no good,' said Else, How she must be suffering.'
'
'
when Thorgren had gone. Look at for No, she not conscious. When the doctor
is
'
me,
'
instance, might as well have taken water.' comes, she will probably have injection of
I
'Yes, that's just what can't understand in morphia.' ."
'i
I
;'
you, Fru Kant' Will the doctor come soon
'
'
?
Is generally of much use 'Yes, will soon be half-past eleven. He
it
it
'
'
w
;
' to
should be here now.' Nurse Suenson went agonised haste, so as tirt to begin myself
back to her dinner. howl and groan in chorus with the others.'
Else sat up in bed listening for the doctor's 'Yes, you are rather j hysterical.'
footsteps. She was seized by a sudden fear 'What can you expert of any one here?'
shame
It
is
irj
caused by the incessant subdued groaning. Else went on, writhing agony.
'
How could that creature keep up that noise so ful, disgraceful, who was brought away from
I,
continuously. How had she the strength and my home to get quiet aria rest'
that kind of patient,'
fdj
breath for it Oh dear oh dear what a hell This the place
is
? I I
'
this was. But now she heard the doctor come said the doctor, trying make his voice sound
to]
quietly corridor, exchanging some
along the friendly and soothing; It's no worse for you.
j
■
whispered remarks with Nurse Suenson. than for the others.'
jj'
i
J
kind of patienjil' Else cried. 'Then
' '
Good-evening, Frue ; still wide awake ? ■'Tha,t
'
How do you think it possible But why my
is
for me to God help that kind 6f patient
!
'
Else irritably.
asked No, don't keep '
husband not allowed come and see me?
tp
sleep ?
telling me that I must sleep and ought to sleep. What do you think hi? would say he were
if
You cannot really mean it' present?' ,'ii|,i
'
What is one to answer you ?
'
The doctor It was he himself who placed you here. No
;
..
■
shrugged his shoulders. doubt he thought necessary.'
it
'
Listen to that groaning, and the maniacs No one placed me here, came of my own
'
I
down below. And soon the one next door will But had known
if
accord, because chose to.
I
I
,
begin, and all the others. Oh, my God ! I shall what know now — and ii's the same with my hus
I
go mad.' band—I am positive thai he did not dream how
*
Don't be such Frue.' The doctor's should be treated, AJid why he not allowed
is
a spit-fire,
j
half-reproachful, half-patronising tone irritated himskf
to see and hear for To lie here— here
!
?
Else; but his calm, compassionate expression and at the mercy of such man as Hieronimus
!
had a conciliatory effect Merciful heavens
'
I
'
I have to exert all my force,' Else went on in He our greatest authority,' said the doctor.
is
'
-
many
'But why doesn't he allow my husband to bitter tears of which she had shed so
as if she lay
during the last few days. She felt
'
come and see me ? Every muscle in Else's
a well over which
deep down at the bottom of
'
face quivered with excitement Can you under
on. Oh, no,
the lid might at any moment be put
'
stand that, and can you justify it ?
would
'
The professor is afraid of exposing you to but it must not happen, it must not She
her
excitement That is easy to understand.' work herself upwards so as at least to get
Else smiled. ' Excitement I To see my hus head over the edge.
band would be a pleasant kind of excitement, Now when the professor came to-morrow
whereas what I am exposed to now —

'
She morning she would say this and she would say
stopped and hid her face in her hands. that Then he would be touched and under
'
Do be patient, Frue,' said the doctor, placing stand what she had suffered and speak kindly
his hand on Else's shoulder. 'You will see, and say that she was immediately to have
things will turn out better than you think.' another room. Yes, of course, for there was no
His gentle voice and friendly tone gave Else sense in this. For surely he did not wish to
drive her mad. If she had been what they
call
hope.
'
Will you speak to the professor for me ? '
then,
she asked with a glance of despair at him. insane, or if her mind were unhinged,
that he wanted
The doctor nodded. perhaps, she might have thought
'
And tell him that you think he ought to let to drive her mad. But, thank God, she was not
my husband come.' so bad as that I
'
Yes, in a few days. Good-night, Frue.
Now take things calmly.'
Take things calmly I What kind of people
were these? They called themselves doctors.
They should be called executioners. What
would happen to her? How long would her
strength hold out?
She lay back on the pillow and wept those
;
PROFESSOR HIEIRONIMUS 109
would come and release her, certainly, anything

else was inconceivable. Hieronimus only pre
tended that he wanted to be hard. Why should
he wish her ill ? She had never met him before,
and had never done him any harm. And even
if she should have a repelling and unsympathetic
effect on him, that could not be an adequate
CHAPTER X
reason for a man like Hieronimus to dislike her.
SHE began to think of all the ordeals and On the contrary, he ought to have been doubly
tortures that so many human beings in the careful. I .
course of time had had to suffer in the world : Yes, the doctor was right She ought to
those who had languished in subterranean take things calmly. Now the subdued hooting
prisons ; young, innocent girls, who had been had grown fainter. Later in the night, perhaps,
ill-treated and burned,
suspected of being the maniacs would become quieter. Then
witches or the accomplices of witches; the morning would come and the professor. Thank
many Russians who, for the sake of their God! she had at least got her head above the
political opinion, had been condemned to death edge of the well.
]:i
and executed the many thousand victims of not was Nurse
It
; •You are sleeping.'
religious persecutions, and people in trances Suenson who came stealing in.
who had been buried alive, and
"
Has she gopher morphia injection
'
an infinite
?
'
compassion for all the suffering of the world Yes, yes, now she will poon be asleep. The
'
filled her heart What were her sufferings doctor pleasant to talk; to, he not?'
is
is
with these? _._ 'Yes, he looks kind.'
'
■
compared
Her soul became peaceful and quiet 'In a But you must not let him see that you are
little while you shall see Christ had once
me,' agitated and irritable, Frue. gathered that he
I
said to his disciples. Yes, for a little while thought you were worse this evening.'
she would be here, and in a little while Knut
110 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR (HIERONIMUS 11 1
'Worse,' said Else ungraciously. 'In what soon gets used to it j j Ahd sometimes it is a
way?' pleasure,for instance, wjith granny. She is so

'
Here.' Nurse Suenson pointed with her good and grateful. And the old lady in there,
fingers to her forehead. the one who always kno ks the bed rail on the
Else wished she could sink down again to the floor. Once or twice it has happened that she
bottom of the well. But she collected herself has put her arms round; my neck when I have
" Thanks, Alma I
and drove the thought away. Nurse Suenson bent over her, and whisbered,
how good you are!" always takes me for
had of course misunderstood. It was impossible jShje
that the doctor could have interpreted her quite the Alma whom she raVes about, and that is a
justifiable complaints into signs of mental de good deal from such a| poor worn-out old thing.'
rangement The nurse smiled, touched and happy.
'
'
'Tell me a little about yourself/ said Else, What is the old lady's jname ?
lying down on her side with her hand under 'FruFog.' \ jjj-
her cheek so as to get a better view of Nurse
■'
Do you think the professor is really a good
'
Suenson's bright, delicate face. 'Do you like man ? Else asked. j
'Good?'
■•:|
being a nurse?'
'
Yes, I like it very much, very much. I have Yes, good,
'
mean.j
I I
'Certainly think You should only see
jso;
been a nurse for five years, and never for a single
'
:
j
I how kind he can be wrteji some one whom
it
it
is
hour have The only thing that
regretted
makes me sorry is the thought of my good old he likes.'' :!}'•.
"You Do you like himl for"■ instance, Nurse
'
father. have a hard life, my girl," he is
i
Suenson
'
'
always saying with a deep sigh, as he strokes
j
Do Nurse Suenson repeated the
like him
'
my hair.'
'
?
I
It the thought suggested was too
it
if
'
it must be awful to have to
seems to me question as
,
'Do ■like him? have such
:
struggle with those mad people. overwhelming.
-I
I
Aren't you
j
an extreme respect fbri'him, almost rever-
afraid ? Weren't you at first ? '
a
'
I ance,'
i,
No, was a little frightened at first, but one
;
.
'!M"
'
But don't you think he can be cruel to those
'
about on of the next cell, and soon
the floor
whom he does not like ?
after came the sound of banging on the door
' '
Cruel to those he doesn't like ! She turned and shrieks of terror.
and twisted the words. 'No, but he is severe, Oh dear, now she beginning again,' Else
is
'
so severe, so severe, I tremble with fear when he
cried, starting up in bed you mustn't open the
'
I
;
comes along the corridor, and tremble an
door, for then she might come in here.'
hour before, because I am so afraid that every
No, only be calm.'
'
thing may not be as it ought to be. Once when
'Who she?'
is
'
he was going his round I discovered that a hair
A
young Fru Syverts, very pretty woman.'
'
a
had been twisted round the soap out there in the
Soon after, creature in chemise and short
a
corner of the wash-hand-stand. I assure you I night-jacket, with knees bent almost in sitting
a
trembled from head to foot I didn't dare- go
posture, came with unnaturally long strides,
and remove the hair. I didn't dare move from
violently waving her arms, and darted past the
the place, because I was certain that he would door. The nurse hurried out at once. Fru
notice it
He notices everything. If I had a Syverts in the next cell began shrieking and
hole in the toe of my stocking, I am sure that
hammering on the door, imploring them to
he could see it right through my shoe.'
it,
open and calling desperately for Carl to
'
But you are not afraid of the assistant, are reason with the professor. Else held her hands
!
'
you ? tightly over her temples. Inside her forehead
'
No, indeed.' Nurse Suenson, whose face
something was pressing and she felt as her
if
when speaking about the professor had had an
head would burst
'
:
'
anxious expression, smiled lightly. The as
sistant is so amiable.'__ : j
If only
■',
'
it were morning,' Else sighed. ; h:
Yes, almost four o'clock.'
is
it
'
Thank heaven
'
'
Just then naked feet were heard patteirng
H
professDA hieronimus 115
'Go back to you? own quarters, Fru Syverts,'

said Nurse Suensbni [who had been washing the
woodwork of the cell m her usual frantic haste.
Back to my own quarters Yes, let me get
'
I
back to them.' The words sounded intensely
j
pathetic. Suddenly■ she stamped violently with
CHAPTER XI, her foot, and shrieked angrily, I'm an honest
'
woman, tell youi want to be an honest
I
I
THEN the scrubber came, and the windows
j
woman, and therefore won't stay here an hour,
I
were flung open. Nurse Suenson brought the
not minute longer.' Do you think that Wish
a
usual small quantity of water in the tiny basin
I
to be among such (pack of rogues She went
'
a
?
of yellowish-white ware.
on stamping with her ,bare foot and broke out
Else was lying on her knees washing herself,
into horrible There isn't
'
cur,ses. single
a
in
and Nurse Suenson was putting the room
decent person in, the place.'
order, when a creature in a short chemise with
the
Nurse Suenson jdr^pped her washing - cloth
bare, white, skinny legs, bounded in through
into the frothing soap-suds and took hold of Fru
cell door and stood staring at Else. She had
Syverts' arm.
ijji
complexion, and lustrous dark eyes.
j,
j
a clear, pale
'Don't lock me(jin,' Fru Syverts cried in
Her short curly hair framed a beautifully-shaped,
terrified entreaty. Don't lock me in.'
clear, and open forehead, and fell in a long plait
ii|
'Well, then, you, [mustn't make any more
over one shoulder.
noise.' The nurse darried her off.
Else was attracted by the beauty of the pale
Carl, Carl, Carl, help me save me came
'
'
!
!
face. She scrutinised her closely.
in tones of despair. jThen all was quiet
that woman there,1 said
!
'
is,
How pretty she 'Have you locked her in again?' Else asked,
the apparition with an expressive but strangely
when the nurse came back.
voice as she pointed to Else. How
'
constrained
No, made her go to bed and left the door
'
and how
I
pretty she is,' she continued dreamily,
'
ajar.'
iV' y;j
-•
unhappy she looks

'
!
..
■
Mj
116 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS ■-■' PROFESSOR HI \m
RONIMUS 117
A little while after when Else had finished inside her head seemed to keep pressing her
her dressing and was alone in the cell, forehead. A seeped to be tearing her
pain
Fru Syverts came stealing in again. At one chest and made its way jlike a wavy serpent into
bound she was close to Else, lifted the coverlet, her throat
and wanted to get into the bed. She whispered At length Nurse Suen&op came and gave her
some words between her white, clenched teeth : some water. ■
,i
'
Let me get into your bed.' Else started in '
Try to collect yourself, .for it is nearly time
alarm, leant over the bed and tried to push her for the doctor's round. It's no good your giving
away. way.' V i
|
'
I am going to take you by force,' the de But Else went on crying!,. ' I want to go away,
ranged woman hissed. She grasped Else fast away home to Knut ani.'Tage,' a voice within
by the arms and forced her back on the pillow her was continually callingI out, and the thought
as easily as if she had been a baby. Then with of these dear ones made J
(the cry at last gentler
out letting go her iron grip of Else's arms, she and quieter. ■i
' '
put one foot up on the bed. Tell me now what you are crying for ?
Else uttered a cry for help and Nurse Suenson Nurse Stenberg sat down at the edge of the
came at once and tore Fru Syverts quickly bed, and took Else's hand. I
away.
'
I
long so terribly to l&e home.'
'She was frightened, the silly thing I' Fru 'You must try to geti■oVer that Try to per
Syverts cried with a laugh, as the nurse carried suade yourself that it is! best for you to be
here.'
"j:
her off.
'
She No,' Else replied irritably. was
It
Else fell into a fit of convulsive sobbing. great
'
'
a
put her head under the bedclothes, and bit
the mistake for me to come;! here. My husband
sheets so that her sobs could not be heard. She would be in despair he knew how matters
if
felt violent racking pains in the back of her are.'
j'i
if her head had been dragged into folds, Else was now told again that was her
it
neck, as
and a hammering on her temples, and something husband who put her there, and that some-
US PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 119
thing must have been wrong with her since she vaguely conscious of. Hdro she would lie, con
had been brought there. tinually lie, with rigidly diitdtretched limbs.
' '
'Yes,' said Else, there had been something Now, she is asleep at last, isn't she ?
wrong with her, but she had not been mad. Else opened her eyes. There stood the
'
Have you noticed any signs of madness assistant doctor with one of the students, and at
' v
about me ? the foot of the bed stood Nurse Stenberg.
'No, but one could never know for certain. She looked round bewildered, and stroked
There were so many forms of insanity and her forehead with her hand and remembered
madness. Those who seemed the most sane everything.
'
were often the worst, and when once they had . Her eyes are swollen,' said the doctor.
come here — ' '
Yes, she has cried id much. She longs to
She glanced at Nurse Stenberg with a look of be home,' she says.
despair. '
It's enough to drive one distracted,' '
I thought the professor was coming to-day.'
'
she murmured, turning her head away. He was prevented. You must put up with
She lay in a half-conscious condition, sur my humble self/ said the doctor with his good-
rounded with terribly high walls overgrown with natured smile. .
verdure. Above her head the walls seemed 'Didn't the profesicir say that I was to be
'
to arch towards one another, leaving only a very moved ? '
small square opening. This was covered with a The doctor looked at Nurse Stenberg who
wire netting in which burned a jet of gas., A
j
shook her head. !
pale twilight flooded the green walls, and she

'
No, I can't stand it ain longer, I really can't,'
heard a subdued of the
roar like the sound Else wailed. 'Shall yed see the professor to
ocean rolling monotonously far, far away,. No day? Would you tell him?' Else continued,
one could see her, and the wide cage that covered when the doctor had ntodded assent '
Oh, do,
the opening would never be taken away, and she doctor, I can't stand Nurse
ifli
longer can
I,
tons?
;
would never be brought up from the depths Stenberg?'
below to life and time whose rush she was There not vacant room.' Nurse Sten-
is
'
a
!:
^v
120 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS' PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 121
berg looked inquiringly at the doctor. 'That's from her pillow arid looked at them with
the worst of it' ; anxiously questionirig'gaze. Once she heard a
'
'
How is her appetite ? , / man's voice in the' corridor, and thought it was
Something within her gave a cry of
'
She scarcely eats anything.' Knut's.
'
But you must eat' The doctor shook his j6y. With a swift movement she sat up in bed,
finger.
'
You won't be moved as long as you and stretched out her hands. The voice became
don't eat' more distinct, and : the man's steps came
'
How can I eat here ? Besides, what kind of nearer. It w(xs Knut,i Else heard him distinctly.
food do I get ? Only rye-meal porridge and boiled Oh, God ! God ! she was saved then, saved !
I
fish every day.' The kind professor had, after all, wished to sur
'
That is fever diet' prise her. All the jmiiscles of her face quivered
'
But I am not feverish !
'
in a smile of joy.: i Her eyes filled with happy
' '
Has not the Frue been feverish ? the doctor tears, and her heart beat high and warm. One
asked with a rapid glance at Nurse Stenberg. of the assistants passed the door. '
You are not
'
No, she has not been feverish.' allowed to sit up in bed,' he said to Else, as he
•
Well, it doesn't matter. Now, we can change passed and disappeared.
-
your diet I'll write you out a diet sheet lllr:
Good-morning.'
'
Do tell the professor that I must be moved.'
Else called after him.
i
All the morning Else waited in suspense,
|3,
constantly expecting some one or other to come
i.e■:
with a message from the professor that Fru
•j
Kant was to be moved to another room. The
thought of having to stay here another night
was too unbearable. Every time Thorgren or
Nurse Stenberg appeared, she raised her head
•t!
Mi
•
!
.
i
!tl
* !l:L
J
shouldnot know how she was being treated?'
That would be as if Hieronimus did not wish to
admit how he treated her. Well, then, perhaps
Hieronimus thought he was right, but that Knut
would not understand and would want to interfere
and insist on her being sent home again. There
CHAPTER XII was no vacant room, Nurse Stenberg had said,
but surely it was too bad if for that reason she
BUT Else remained sitting staring in front of was to lie here subjected to such misery. As
her. So it was his steps she had heard and not of her own accord, was it not
she had come here
Knut's. She felt as if all her blood flowed to open to her and Knut to say,' 'We made a
her legs and a cold sweat covered her head to mistake in coming here, and so now we wish to
foot And then the blood streamed back again retract,?
'
No, Else could not see any way out of
and came coursing up into her
to her heart it She reflected, and at last said to herself,
head, hot as fire. Everything danced round. '
If only they move me to-day and I can escape
It seemed to her that the bed rocked as if on from terror of another night, I must be
the
the waves of the 'sea. Grasping the night-table content with that' Perhaps the assistant whom
for support, she sank slowly back on the pillows. she had mistaken for Knut had been up to give
But she wondered afterwards how she had the message to Nurse Stenberg. Yes, of course ;
been so foolish as to imagine anything so un otherwise, why should he have come at this
likely as that Knut should be allowed to come time of the day ? Now they were getting the
to-day ? That would be too great a joy. i Be room ready. Then the merry Thorgren would
sides Hieronimus had said :
'
It's no good for come and say with a smile on her pretty, plump
him to see you while you are here.' face,
'
Now you must get up, Fru Kant, and
What did he really mean by that? Why follow me to a nice, quiet place.' She would ask
should not Knut be allowed to see her as long no questions, but would wait patiently. They
were rejoicing at the thought of surprising her 'What do you think
of,
this comedy?' Fru
with the good news. She must not■ spoil their Syverts in chemise, which showed long white
a
pleasure. , legs somewhat too thick at the ankle, had
When her dinner — sweet soup and two light- entered Else's cell, where
she began walking
coloured rissoles, that looked almost like wheat- rapidly up and down with her hands akimbo.
cakes— was brought to her, she at once sat up in shall go mad through being here. Yes by
'
I
!
bed and ate as much as she was able to swallow. God, shall go mad! My husband has small
a
I
But sweet soup was the thing she hated most, place down on the coast should have gone
'
I
and rissoles had always been her aversion. But there had not the doctor come and said that
I
what did that matter? The food problem she had better consult Hieronimus first. He the
is
could get over. fashion just now. Don't you think so She
'
?
i
When Else had finished eating she heard stopped in the middle' of the cell and looked
some one outside banging the doors, and at the sharply at Else. Every one thinks Hieronimus
'
same time came the sound of a the man to be consulted, but we patients are
blood-curdling
is
shriek. A moment later two porters passed never allowed word with him. " Wa, wa, wa,
a
her door with a stretcher, on which a thin, wa," he mutters and
is
off'
grey-faced woman 'You
!ij lie
sat erect with gesticulating should go and, down, Fru Syverts,'
arms. She kept up a perpetual screaming. said Else reproachingly.'
Soon after the pprters came
back with the But so terrible to lie like this staring
in
is
it
'
empty stretcher, while the screams became front of one the wh61e ■day. I'm not used
wilder and wilder ; and then Fru Syverts; who to it' ■!j;|'
had been quiet for a long while, began to rave 'Of course terrible. Now, have been
it
is
I
and shriek in the next celj. i . '. lying here for you
, four ■days; came only
'This is hell,' thought Else.
'Whoever in '■
'
yesterday.'
'
j
vented the doctrine of the tortures of hell had And then they drugged me with chloral and
'
no doubt been, by mistake, in a place like this, that makes me so confused. If you only knew
presided over by some one like Hieronimus.' . how my head swims. Oh, Carl Carl She put
'
!
I
li
her hand before her eyes and burst into '

Is that the woman who is always scream
tears. ing?'
'
Is Carl your husband ? ' 'Yes, but don't you trouble about that
'Yes, my husband, my good, kind husband. Courage, Mark Anthony!' She patted Else's
We have been married only eight months.' cheek, smiling. 'Only think how well off'
'
Go back to your room and lie down, Fru the patients are here, where they are cared
Syverts. If the nurse finds you here, she will for looked after in every possible way,
and
only say that you
dreadfully bad and
are and get clean sheets twice a week. It seems to
restless, and then you will have to stay in bed me that it must be rather jolly to be a patient
much longer. Be good and patient,' Else here for a short time. We, with our professor !
added, Fru Syverts, not replying, went on
as I Fru Kant'
it,
really mean
sobbing quietly. 'They all say that to me, so How was that these good, kind
possible
it
I pass it On. It's no use being obstinate here. women could have their feelings so blunted
to
;
Go, now, before you are discovered.' . the sufferings of others It was the same old
?
' '
I will,'
Yes, said Fru Syverts, nodding story again. That trust, in authority which in
violently. ' I will do it because you ask me,' every age had inspired human beings with
con
fidence, and made them bow the knee before one

l
and she left the cell quickly.
A fdw minutes later a woman flew past the single person. This one individual, through
open door wrapped in a sheet from the waist contempt for humanity, had the audacity to
j
downwards. She shrieked with all her might, in pose as leader of men and man of knowledge.
a
a
' '
a hollow, sepulchral voice, Knussen Knussen We, with our professor
'
! !
'
!
Very being half dragged, half
soon she was Nurse Stenberg came in. From her expres-
carried off" by Thorgren, continuing her cries sion Else could see that she brought good news,
:
'
for ' Knussen all the time. but she pretended not to notice it Nurse
'
That's a puerperal maniac,' said Thorgren, Stenberg should herself tell what was. But
it
'
coming into Else's room a little later. She was when Nurse Stenberg did not say anything
delivered two days ago.' beyond her usual kind words, Else could not
bear the suspense and asked if she was to be grew hard and embittered. The patients were
moved. careering about,, screaming and yelling, and
'
No.'
Nurse Stenberg had heard nothing to their noise seemed to her a suitable accompani
that effect ment to her thoughts.
'But don't you think that a message might Now, it would soon be time for the doctor's
'
still come ? round, but it was the assistant, and not the pro
'
No, that was impossible. It was five o'clock. fessor. Well, it didn't much matter !
Besides, I have told you before there is no Soon the doctor arrived in his white coat fol
vacant room.' lowed by an assistant, and by Nurse Stenberg.
'
No vacant room I 'exclaimed Else, trembling Me began his eternal refrain: 'Was she still
'
at the thought of the night that was coming. discontented with her existence ? Else sat up
'
But tell me one thing. Is it impossible to in bed and gave vent to her indignation. The
give
me any other room but this cell that I doctor made no reply, only looked at her sadly
am in
'
now ? and mildly, but, as he went away, he said to
* '
Impossible
No, not impossible.
?
It might Nurse Stenberg, She gets worse and worse.'
be arranged. There is the ward for nervous A momentafter she heard quick, creaking
diseases, and a corridor over in the pavilion steps in the corridor, and Hieronimus in an over
which we sometimes make use of.' coat, with a hat in his hand, stood in the cell.
•Dear Nurse Stenberg— ' Else grasped
the
'
I
bring you a message from your husband.'
nurse's hand, and looked into her
eyes with a Else wanted to say ' Thank you,' but could not
glance that implored help— 'do your
utmost for utter a sound because of the choking sensation
me. Say that I shall die if I stay here. Oh, in her throat
do be kind, and I shall remember it all my life.'
'
He asked me to tell you that he had got a
'
Yes, dear Fru Kant, we all feel kindly of the month, who, he believed,
cook for the first
towards
you.' She patted Else's hand and went off. would be satisfactory. So you needn't worry
'
So that chance is gone,' thought Else. ' I shall about that'
have to stay here another night,' and
her mind
'
Shall I have to stay here another night ?
'
't>;
130 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIElRONIMUS 131
Else asked in a voice so hoarse as to appear tures day and night' Else cried. *
What right
'
strange even to herself. have you to do so ?
'Yes' said. Hieronimus, prolonging the word 'Inhuman tortures!' Hieronimus' colourless
as if he took a physical pleasure in saying face had become as grey as chalk. He raised
it himself on his toes, and came down with his heels
But I can't stand 'it I suffer so horribly.'
'
' on the floor. You have much need to learn self-
' '
Oh, indeed I Hieronimus replied with such control. It is want of self-control that you
cutting contempt, J:hat to Else it had the effect suffer from. I had thought of moving you '
of a blow on the face.
'
Were you any better off he slapped the palm of the one hand with the
at home?' short plebeian fingers of the other and almost

Then Else started up in bed, quite beside her shrieked — ' but now you shall stay here,' and in
self, her face distorted, her eyes darting a fiery a moment he had vanished from the cell.
glance, which pierced the cold, pale eyes of *A nice man that!' Else thought with con
Hieronimus, as she said :— tempt smiling to herself.
' '
You know quite as well as I do that there is 'But goodness gracious, Fru Kant!'— Nurse
not a single grain of reason for keeping me in Stenberg stood by her bed ; her pale, refined
this cell. It's only because you have no other face was paler than usual, and its expression
room for me. But then it is your duty to let terribly reproachful —' How did you dare speak
" Oh, indeed," you say,'
my husband know of it like that to the professor? I heard all you
and she imitated Hieronimus' contemptuous, said.'
sneering voice, returning the slap in the face as
'
How dare he treat me as he does ? I only
far as possible.
'
Would you like to sleep here regret that I didn't say more.'
yourself for one night, only for a single night,
*
The professor can't stand criticism from any
'
and let me have your bedroom ? body, least of all from a patient'
'No,' he said, and it sounded like a horse 'That's a great pity for the professor,' said
neighing in the distance. Else contemptuously.
'
You exPose "ie to tne most mnuman tor-
'I:!'
Then Thorgren came and was loud in her re
monstrances.
'
You really must apologise to the professor,'
she insisted.
'
He may kill me before I do that,' Else
' •
replied. !l
Even Madonna Hansen appeared and spoke
CHAPTER XIII
strongly on the subject Out in her corridor
they were quite shocked. Never before had The hours passed. The noise of banging and
anything like that happened. Had she not shrieking, and the scenes above and below,
always implored Else to be good and patient persisted. The puerperal maniac flew past
because she was fond of her and felt friendly suddenly out into the corridor, crying in her
,-j
towards her ? sepulchral voice, 'Knussen! Knussen!'
'
Now you must humble yourself to the pro- At last she was locked in, and the calling
'fessor. Promise me that you will,' she con for Knussen sounded more hollow and subdued
cluded. than before. Overwhelmed by fear and suffer
'
Never,' said Else passionately, and Madonna ing, her soul tortured wjth longing and her body
Hansen went off with an anxious shake of the consumed with restlessness, Else tossed to and
head. fro upon her hard bed.To-morrow was Sunday.
The night nurse had arrived, and Nurse Knut would take Tage for walk before break
a
If
If,
Suenson gave Else some chloral. fast only she could go too after all,
!
'
You look as if you were angry with me,' she had remained at (home! She could have
Else said. i._— ~
stayed at home she had wished, but she had felt
if
'
No, but I am sorry. At this rate you will ill and had thought quiet and rest would cure
never be moved.' her. What had her sufferings at home been
compared with what she had now to endure?
The procession of horses — what had become of
that? She had not once seen it ; and her

work,
A few minutes later came one of the young
she had not given it a moment's assistants, a tall, slender young fellow with
thought If a
only she had been in quiet thin moustache and a bright, handsome face,
surroundings, and
had seen Knut, and had been able and greeted her with an encouraging smile
to let him
see every day how much better she was. and said,
'
Good-morning, what shall I tell your
The time came for the evening round.
Con husband, Fru Kant, when I see him ?
'
trary to the usual custom, one of the Else looked sharply at the assistant, and
assistants
came. Else heard him ask in the doorway was dubious. But the thought crossed her
'whether Fru Kant had slept mind that he might pity her and she said,
'No,' said Nurse Suenson, 'how could 'Tell him that he will have to exert extra
she
possibly get any sleep here?' ordinary energy if he is to succeed in getting in
'
It's quiet enough here.' to see me. Tell him that I am having a terrible
'
Yes, just at this moment,' said Nurse time, and Ihat I shall go mad if he does not
Suenson
indignantly. ' But wait a little and you shall come soon.'
here. If it were one of us who had to put up '
Do you think that will be of much use ?
'
the
with what Fru Kant has to endure—' assistant asked, still smiling.
*
It wouldn't inconvenience me,' the 'Yes, of course it will be of use. He will
assistant
answered in a tone of take me away immediately when he knows how
superiority, and then
went on. things are. He has no conception of this.
'May not Fru Kant get up a little to-day?' That's just the awful part of it'
Nurse Stenberg asked in the '
You don't like being here at aJJ, then ?
'
The
morning when the
doctor came round. 'She is so tired assistant twirled his moustache and continued to
of being
in bed. She has been quiet since smile.
her first
evening.' '
Tell him that he must come, that he absol
The doctor reflected, deliberating the utely must come, and make him understand that
question.
'Yes, Fru Kant, you may get up for an you too think he should come,' Else implored.
hour
after breakfast
Good-morning.'
'
I
shall be so grateful to you. Promise me that from head to foot — just see!! and she pointed to
you will say it'
her folded handkerchief.
'Your do nothing.
husband can He, of '
Yes, granny is always pleased,' remarked
course, goes exclusively by what the professor
Thorgren, who sat in her Sunday dress at the
says. Besides, he knows quite well how you are
yellow table, reading from a well-worn book.
being treated.' The young girl with the heavy head and
•No,' said Else in a trembling voice, 'he walked down
woollen stocking feet up and
does not know it' in the corridor.
'
Besides, I shall not see your husband at all.' '
I have not seen her for the last few days,'
The smile spread all over the assistant's face. said Else to Thorgren, and pointed to the girl.
Else said nothing more ; she lay blinking her 'No, she has not dared to pass your door.
eyelids incessantly and clutching the sheet " It isn'ta lady, it is a wild, dangerous bird," she
The assistant stood for a while stroking his kept saving, shivering withJear.'
moustache, then went off with a slight laugh. ' '
Does she mean me ? Else asked.
Else neither cried nor moved. Despair" seemed '
Of course,' Thorgren smiled.
to have hardened her.
Else looked into the cells. Fru Syverts was
When she had had her breakfast Nurse sleeping with half-open mouth, showing the white
Stenberg brought her undergarments and dress teeth between her full young lips. She lay with
ing-gown. Else asked for various little things, her head a little on one side, her hand under her
such as garters, hair-pins, and hand-glass.
Those cheek, and a tear hung on her long black eye
things had been taken back to her home by the '!' •
lashes.
professor's orders, she was told. Instead of Else stole out and went to the old woman
garters Nurse Stenberg gave her two short with the yellow mummy face — ' Fru Fog,' they
'
pieces of string.
When "Else was dressed she called her— whom she had Seen the first evening,
went out into the corridor.
and who used to throw down the bed-rail during
'To-day is Sunday,' mumbled granny, who sat the night She lay with naif-open eyes that
huddled up against the stove. '
Clean clothes looked grey and opaque, like bits of glass.
138 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS
e:0 139
Below the sleeves of her uniform, which bare corridor with the carefully closed
long,
had slipped up above the elbows, two yellow- doors at either end, and the open cell doors, and
brown arms showed, thin as reeds. The skin of she thought, with horror, of the first evening
,the hands wasfull of cracks and scales like when she had come in here with no idea that she
coarse, dried cod-fish. As Else came close she was entering a prison for an uncertain time, and
lifted her arms as if anathematising as on the would be treated as a criminal, to whom, not
evening before, and said something ■that died even her nearest, not even her own husband had
away on her sunken bloodless lips. access. She undressed slowly and got into bed.
'
Poor thing,' said Else, stroking the woman's 'Are you crying again?' Thorgren came in
forehead, which was covered with perspiration. with the dinner. '
Now when you have had the
'Dear Alma.' The words came in a weak diversion of being up a little, and now when it is
whisper, and the hand travelled slowly up and so nice and quiet One can almost see that it is
clutched feebly at Else's dressing-gown. Sunday.' '
When Else went back into the corridor, she Yes, that Else could see too, and it
came upon the young woman with the heavy head. made position seem doubly hard. What
her
The girl drew back in fear, hid her face behind kind of food would it be to-day ? She sat up
her raised arm, and called out as she hurried off: and took the tray. Some yellow liquid with
'Oh, fie! fie! The wild bird wants to peck cream-coloured balls floating about, and a slice
out my eyes.' of dry, roasted meat with boiled potatoes,
In the last cell the puerperal maniac was floating in a thick light brown sauce. No salad,
sitting up in bed groaning quietly. As Else no cucumber or pickles ; none of these little
entered, she looked at her with a wavering, help accessories which she was used to and appreci
less stare, and quickly.pulled the sheet over her ated. But she must eat all the same. She had
face. • —"""" felt so weak, almost ready to fall when she was
Else felt faint, and her knees seemed to give up, and that was not to be wondered at
way. Better go back to her cell and get into She began eagerly, but it was impossible to
bed again. She let her glance wander about the eat much. It tasted so insipid and so unsavoury.
,
As usual after an interval of quiet, the patients trouble ■me much.' Else moved again on the
began again to hammer and scream. Fru Fog pillow.
threw the bed-rail on the floor, uttering a faint 'Well, then, it's the sleep. Do you still
whimper. The puerperal maniac flew past with suffer from want of sleep ■?'
a shriek as if
she had been cut with a knife, Else paused awhile, and then said, trembling
and Fru Syverts was so violent that she had to with rage, ' Can any one sleep here who is fairly
be locked in. She began to hammer on the sane and not quite mad ?
'
wall which was next to Else's cell, and cried out *

Yes, we must hope for the best' He said it
desperately for Else and the professor. so gently and quietly that Else was astonished.
'
Now I shall go to bed, Fru Kant,' she called She had expected that he would flare up as
out at last when Else had reproved her. ' Now on the previous evening.
I shall go to bed and be good. Do you hear, '
Hope !
'
she said with an expression of dis
Fru Kant ? '
dain, and thought to herself, 'Throw a naked
'Yes, I hear,' Else called out 'That's nice baby in front of a hungry tiger and hope that
of you to be good and go to bed.' the beast will not touch it'
Past six o'clock, a little after the gas had been ' Yes,
Fru Kant, if we human beings had not
lit, Hieronimus came. His 'Good-evening' hope—' Hieronimus spoke all at once slowly
sounded unusually friendly. and with a priestly gesture, and his face assumed
'
. Well, how do you feel now ? ' the expression that she had seen in the waiting-
Else moved on the pillows but said nothing. room, the expression that reminded her of the*
' O
How is your appetite ? ' he went on with young theological student
marked friendliness. Else had raised her eyebrows and the shadow
'Iam
hungry enough, but I don't like the of a smile flickered in the corners of her mouth.
food here,' Else said shortly. No sooner had Hieronimus uttered the word
'
Perhaps you are used to other dishes.' hope than he suddenly started up and was out of
'To different cooking, anyhow. But that the cell like a harlequin.
doesn't matter. The question of food doesn't The night was terrible. The maniacs down
i>'
■■• -
:■ ,
143
PROFESSOR: HIERONIMUS
142 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS '•*£•■■;■.'■•'• -. ...--. ■. i
f^••■.
myself
below kept up a terrible racket Else began to ful to you all my life and always think
feel cramp-like pains in . her chest She writhed in your debt, and so wbul■d my husband.'
No, no, no ! don't :think of Fru Kant'
it,
'
like a serpent, groaning continually.
If
She waved her hand and smiled suddenly.
'
I
When doctor went his night round he
the
were to do that, my ghost Would
certainly haunt
gave her some drops that relieved it for a while,
added
but the ■pain began again and continued the this place after my death. Besides,' she
seriously, perceiving Else's dumb despair, 'it
whole night once you
'
Nurse Suenson,' said of the
Else in one wouldn't be the slightest use. When
Besides,
are here, nobody heeds what you say.
intervals between the pains in her chest, 'do
your husband won't anything.'
do|
you see how I suffer and how wretched I am in
every way ? Am I not ? '
'
Yes, you poor thing ! You do suffer.'
/
'
Won't you take my husband a few words
from me?' ,
'
Not for gold,' said Nurse Suenson, horrified,
and with a firmness in her voice that Else had
not credited her with.
'Don't say no, dear Nurse Suenson. I am
:■
so afraid I shall go quite mad in the end. Give
me a piece of paper and a pencil and let me
write it in bed.'
'
Not for anything in the wide world,' Nurse
Suenson persisted in her former firm voice.
'
Do you think that I would act so towards the
!
i
ii'
i
'
professor ?
'
But when I beg and implore you The
'
!
■
I
professor would never know. I would be grate-
^
i
i
I
Mi:
PROFESSOR ÎERONIMUS 145
'The more the better.' The words came

with a jerk from Hieronimus' thin, dull white
teeth, and as on ■the previous evening, he rose
on his toes and put his heels together. 'Yes,
that is also my opinion; that it's good for you
to be here.' The next moment he was gone.
CHAPTER XIV
'YOUR face is as yellow as wax to-day ,' said
Nurse Stenberg in the morning when she came
into Else's room. ' Now, some change will soon
be made. The doctor noticed last night how
ill you were.' :
The day passed. Else lay quietly. To the
question whether she would like to get up; she
had shaken her head. She gave it up and
allowed herself to slide down to the bottom of
the slimy well. It was useless to struggle.
''i■
■il
The supreme powers were too much for her.
Then suddenly Hieronimus stood in the cell.
Else saw him as through a mist, but still she
noticed that his expression was gentle.
'Another room is being prepared for you
now,' he said.
:;ii
'Oh, only let me stay where I am,' Else
answered, wrinkling her quivering eyebrows.
'
The more of it the better.' K
•
■■
'. ,■;■-",■■'■ ■.■•-' :
case ? How was it that the physician did not

lead the conversation ? It concerned the patient
'
exclusively. «
:
Now the servant at the! door nodded to Knut

It was now his turn. ,'
'
'
Your wife is undoubtedly insane.'
CHAPTER XV Knut started. The word gripped with a
violence that was almost physical into the

FOR the third time since Else's admission to the
whole network of this finely-spun web of
hospital, Knut sat, anxious and restless, in the trouble, which for a long time had been
professor's waiting-room. So far the news that
gradually weaving itself round his thoughts and
he had got out of the uncommunicative
professor feelings./
had given him small consolation ' ' '
and little Insane ? he asks.
'
information. Your wife was restless when she '
The nature of her madness is
Yes, mad.
was admitted. Don't talk about seeing her. the almost complete lack of ability to govern
Now at the beginning all depends on At present
winning the emotional side of her nature.
the patient's confidence. It's no use making she is a veritable fury.'
inquiries until a few days have passed. Mean It was some little time before Knut replied.
while, I
may say that your wife appears to be So now the matter was clear and there was a
a very difficult patient' certainty in the tone which did not leave room
It was Knut who had done most of the for the slightest doubt
talking during the visits. The professor had And you have taken her peculiar strength of
'
impulse into consideration — a force that shows

listened, appearing less interested than he ought
to have been, it seemed to Knut
Why was itself in her work'
this man so reserved and cold-blooded? Did
Pausing for at least half a second, Hicronimus
he sit there with his mind already made '
up, or answered Yes.'
had he not yet made up his mind about '
the '
Do you know my wife's pictures ?
'
Want of leisure has of late years unfortun
•It seems to me that when it comes to a ques
ately prevented me from following the develop —'
tion of placing her in a lunatic asylum
ment of art here at home.' '
Your wife must first of all learn self-dis
'
May I send you some reproductions of her She is discontented with her stay with
'
cipline.
pictures ? thing for her to be
us. It won't be a good
'
Yes, do. No doubt your wife's choice of it will take at least
Besides,
moved just now.
subjects would be some help in forming a diag Let me have
ten days to arrange the matter.
nosis of your wife's mental condition.'
your answer in the course of a week.'
'And her treatment of her subjects? The '
And you, professor, are of the opinion that
degree of artistic perfection which she has
'
that Will really accomplish a cure.'
reached ?
We have had many
'Without a doubt
That also.'
'
instances of it The first, half-year will be
The professor moved a few steps from the under protest from your wife. Then
passed
writing-table towards the stove. she will quiet down, and' in the end leave the
'
My advice is that your wife should be placed
hospital cured and with a grateful heart'
in St Jorgen's asylum for not too short a '
these almost mechanical means of
By
time.'
isolation and imprisonment'.
Again Knut started as if he had been stabbed.
'
'
By these purely mechahical means. Yes,' said
'
For how long ? he asked.
Hieronimus, as if he thought the expression
'A year.'
appropriate.
' '
What will be gained by that ?
'
Knut had the sensation of standing there
Cure,' said Hieronimus firmly* and with a He could not go
relieved of a heavy burden.
shade of annoyance at the question. As Knut refrained from noticing
■
away, and he purposely
said nothing, he added :'Don't make up your
that his audience with the ever busy professor
mind all at once. Consult Dr Tvede. Your
was over.
wife can remain here meanwhile. There is no '
And then you, too, will have peace in your
hurry.'
1
'•'.■!
150
home,' said the professor.
There was something
that sounded like
irony in his tone.
Again a shudder went
through Knut So
his many
carefully considered words had been
interpreted as a complaint :!
about his own share
in the trouble. That man in the chair there
was scarcely such a mi
great judge of human
nature
as he was
supposed to be. ■ CHAPTER XVI
'There isonly one thing to do.
Follow ELSE had been moved.! (j 'The large folding-doors
Hierommus' advice,' said Dr
Tvede to Knut at the end of the corridor had been opened for
the same evening.
The next day two doctor her, and just beyond jthese lay her new room.
acquaintances s^ the same thing to him. Besides the bed, it contained a couch, a bedside
Hierommus was a man whose judgment
in table, 'and a chair. Here, too, the door was
these matters was
always reliable. He fettered open night and day .•iijito a corridor furnished
will as if by strong bonds
hj to that decision with a yellow table ahd two chairs, which, like
which hurt him like a
wound in his breast the other corridor, 'fvas cut off by locked
Hieronimus's advice should be
followed. folding-doors. The jroom had on one side of
it the cells from which, she was separated only
by an ordinary wall; iand on the other side a
room with six beds,: I which was, for the time
being, empty.
:jjI■
Although the window overhead was covered
with reddish-brown woollen curtains, yet placed
high up asit was, arid with its small panes, it
produced the same impression as the iron bars
of the cell windows, ia'nd Else's sense of being
in a prison was just the same as before.
- ' . •. ■« .■
•
J
,
153
there Thorgren, who

had taken Nurse
After her removal Else had a new day nurse, Sanson's
after
sat keeping watch and had to look
Nurse Raeder, who had come up from the men's place,
in the cells, and the
ward downstairs — a strongly-built, fair woman, both Else and the patients
from a violent
night before she had suffered
about thirty.She wore eyeglasses, and had a '
bright yet refined manner. She went about her toothache.
she said wearily.
work humming, with a slight swaying movement
'
I can't sleep here either,'
of the hips, speaking to Else about all manner

'
Oh, nonsense.'
never to be able to
of things to make her forget her sufferings
'
And it's so dreadful
Else liked to have her with her. On the whole Wcisri
wash
'
The doctor
Aren't you allowed to
' ?
the nurse had the effect of pale sun rays on a
dark and frozen winter day. opened his eyes wide.
'
'
Do you call t/uit washing
? A pint of water
Well,' said the assistant physician, the first
to dip one's nose into.
' in a basin, just enough
time he visited Else in her new room, are you morning.
' At home, I have a cold bath every
satisfied now ?
See that the
too.
'That you can have here
Else, who sitting on the edge of the
was
turned to Nurse Sten-
couch, gazed with troubled air in front of her.
things are prepared/ he
bcrff
Except that the place was not a cell and that is also something
the patients could not pass her door or come into
•The pipes leak, and there
said Nurse
her presence, there was no difference between wrong with the heating apparatus,'
her present and her former environment The Suenson. . .
You shall have
•Then it must be repaired.
noise and the shrieks distinctly
were heard as
as ever. The din of the noise of windows and your bath, Fru Kant'
time yet before
doors and all the sounds throughout the day
'
Do you think it will be a long
were just the same. At "half past five to six I can see my husband?/
mind. Yes, it
o'clock in the morning the cleaning began with
'
Put the thought out of your
the
may be some time,'
the icy current of air, and during the night the is quite possible that it
Else's look of despair.
folding-doors to the cell corridor were open, and doctor added, in answer to
HIEROKIMUS 155
154 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR
"
'
Did you not intercede for me with the pro towards me for
does not explain his conduct
'
" mad
Does he think that would go
'
fessor ?
I
my good
I
The doctor nodded. Besides, that would
from seeing my husband?
'
Oh, my God I how terrible it is I
'
Else ex not trouble him. Is he afraid that the hospital
claimed. '
What shall, what shall I do I long husband were to come
would fall my
if
?
so terribly to hear from home.' here?'

off, and
The doctor tried as usual to laugh
'
it
The professor knows best what is good for
irritated. In
you.' Else listened without becoming
'
Good for me '
Else shrieked, getting up. to him, because,
I
spite of all she was grateful
'
I know ' been friendly and
Yes, that lesson now !
from the first evening he had
then, too, there was
She walked a few steps, then sat down again. sympathetic to her. And
then, visible in
look of compassion now and
'
What good will it do me to sit here under
a
lock and key, and suffer and worry myself a look that, especially
his clear, phlegmatic eyes,
almost to death ? What will become of me at most upset and in
at night, when' she was
I, who never have any sleep? You know soothe and console her
last, deepest despair, used to
that it is true that I never sleep. Even if you for moment
a
think that I am mistaken of that am not
you have the word 'You convinced
I
are quite
I cannot one afternoon
the nurses to fall back on, and be got insane?' Else asked Nurse Raeder
I and the doctor was■
to sleep here. have said so from the first when the gas had been lit
I it few hours,
and go on saying Do you think She had been up for
a
evening expected.
by tooth
that is good for me?' but had gone to bed again, exhausted
'
How fiery you are,' said the doctor in his for three nights
ache, which had tortured her
usual complacent low-pitched voice. 'You are running.
opposite fclse
very interesting to look'atr Nurse Raeder, who was sitting
'
large piece of crochet
is is,
What a man he that Hieronimus Else couch, busy on

'
a
on
a
I
'That he and said

went on. a pope in small way, work, quickly removed her eyeglasses
a
can judge, have

arrogant and self-satisfied lay preacher, 'Yes, as far as
I
as cheerfully,
a
I ■
ti
,
J 56 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 157
not been able to discover the smallest 'Yes, he has become such an object of hatred
;.
sign of
insanity.' , to me,' said Else with horror,
.
i
•Then, won't you take a letter to Shortly after the round came. was Hier-
It
my husband
for me? That would be doing me a kind onimus.
'
,
i
ness.' Here you are as cosy as pigs in clover,' he
'
'
Impossible, Fru Kant ; whatever you do, don't said, tripping up to the bed.
ask me to do that' Else made no reply. Every, time she heard
Else was silent She knew the professor's step she was seized with palpita
by the tone of
the reply that it was as tion of the heart, and trembled with hatred,
fruitless to ask Nurse
Raeder as it had been with Nurse and when he spoke in friendly fashion, as just
Suenson.
'Surely you understand that we nurses now, his voice had such note of jocular self-
a
can't
do that sort of thing. It would be the same as assurance that had a still more painful effect
it
if a professional on Else tha'n when was ironical and irritated.
it
man were to break his pro
fessional oath.' And here you have been to sleep, have you
'
'
Yes, Else understood too not?'
well. No escape*
j
.
no hope! It was as if she were buried Ask the nurses what peace there here, and
is
'
alive !
*
Besides, your husband how much sleep,' Else managed to say. You
'
would not do any
I
thing for you.' - should have been here last night and listened.'
*
Oh, how can you think so ? ' 'Oh, well, sleep will come,' he was on the
Else exclaimed.
'
You don't know my husband.' point of going but turned back, suddenly on his
'
When one is under the professor's heel, and said, You've had toothache
'
'
?
influence, ■
things happen only as he wishes. Yes.'
'
Besides, you
i:|
,
should rather try to be friendly, Is gone now?'
it
'
even submissive,
:;,»!■
towards the professor. He is used 'No.'
to submission.
Butâ, you should only Do you want to have the tooth out?
'
'
see what you look like
when he speaks to you.' No, I'd rather have dentist'
'
a
Nurse Raeder smiled.
'
It's not wise of you.' Very well He was gone moment
in
'
*
a
I
\!
158 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS .
i
'
During the night the toothache became almost '
Why not put you in chains ? the doctor
unbearable, also the cough, which had troubled suggested.
her less during rjie last few days, had again *
Well, I
shall go down and ask permission of
returned. No wonder, considering the draught the professor to drive to a dentist,' said Nurse
there was every morning and evening when the Stenberg a few hours latei. 'It would be my
other rooms were being aired.Hour after hour duty to go with you.'
Else sat, leaning over the edge of the bed, '. 'Thank you,' said Else, who had continued
groaning loudly j in chorus with the raving groaning all the while."
lunatics below. Thorgren brought hot fomenta ■ It was not long before Nurse Stenberg came
tions. She was continually running to and fro. back. Sh6 looked crestfallen.
As soon as she had stopped with Else for a few 'Well?' said Else.
minutes she was summoned back by screams ,
'
He did not say anything, only made a sign
and noises to the cell corridor." to me to go.'
Every time Else had a hot fomentation she ' What a horror he is ! '
was relieved for a time, but then the cough '

I have some brown drops which helped me
came on. She wept over her own miseries so once,' said Nurse Stenberg. 'I'll try rubbing
that the tears streamed down her cheeks, and your gums with them.'
again and again she repeated, '
I can't bear In the afternoon when Else went out into
it!' 'L: / the cell corridor, where she was allowed to
•Why won't ycju■ have the tooth out?' the walk up down every day, she discovered
and.
doctor asked. that a new patient had arrived, who lay
' '
That's not necessary,' Else answered. The quite quietly, staring before her with a stony
tooth has just been stopped, and will last a good stare while the tears trickled slowly and
many years yet i Only let me go and see a continually down the immovable face, which
dentist He can let me go in a closed carriage was swollen with crying.
and provide me with a pair of warders to look The young woman with the heavy head had
after me.' slipped into the cell and was staring inquisitively
lGo PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS . PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 161
at the new patient, and

granny was standing No,' said Else later to herself, won't go
'
'
I
bent over her, breathing quickly. But the any more and stare at that unfortunate countess.
cjid
sobbing woman not take any notice of She looks at me every time with such pained
them, only when the puerperal maniac suddenly reproach. Besides, one ought to be sensible
rushed in upon her, uttering her usual hollow about the insane.'
wail for 'Knussen,' she shuddered and looked Else went in to Fru Syverts, who was still in
round for help. bed, neat and trim, with hair well brushed and
',
Who thatis
jElse asked of the nurse who snow-white embroidered night
'
plaited, and
'
a
?
,
had come to fetch the puerperal maniac. gown.
How kind of you to come and see me, Fru
A
countess.'
'
'
Is she very mad Kant' Fru Syverts took hold of Else's hand in
'
'
?
'Yes, indeed. She was brought from an both of hers. The corners of her mouth
hotel where she was going about with loaded trembled, and the brown velvety eyes filled with
a
revolver, and now she thinks she has fallen into tears.
the hands of the anarchists.' 'I am still lying here. What do you think
'Who would have thought
it was mad of Every day beg and implore- that
it
a
I
I
?
woman who lay there looking so conscious of may be allowed to get up, but they don't even
her desperate situation?' Else thought every answer me.'
time that she passed the doorway of the countess That's because you are not quiet enough.'
'
in the course of her walk, looking It's no use even am quiet' Fru Syverts
if
quite
in
I
unconcernedly. Poor creature, surely she hasn't bit her under lip, and big crystal tears trickled
'
got revolver now she asked eagerly, stopping down her white cheeks. have tried that
'
'
a
I
in front of Thorgren. too.'
Has she Thorgren answered smiling, and 'But during the night You scream and
'
'
added There, have succeeded in making you make noise during the night'
'
a
I
:
smile, Fru Kant won't stop until have That's because am so frightened. feel as
'
I
I
I
I
made you laugh.' if am in an underground prison, and when the

I
L
I
i
'
-
j
:
162 PltOFKSSbl* HIERONIMUS
others begin must too. And then, too, it's so
I
strange for these doctors to come in here during
the night Why can't they behave decently
?'
Fru Syverts smiled suddenly, and winked know
ingly at Else.
'Besides, you wanted to get out at the
window.'
only did that to play trick on them.' She
CHAPTER XVII
'
'
I
a
smiled little through her tears. ELSE had come to the conclusion that as Knut
It
amuses me
a
'
to play with this pack of jailers. That time never came, something must be wrong at home.
I
frightened you, was also only in fun. didn't He had promised so faithfully to come and
it
see
I
want to harm you at all. Besides, it's not to be her, and he knew that she never would have gone
wondered at one gets confused in the head to the hospital except on that condition.
if
Every
lying here. All this chloral takes
away my morning she had cherished a secret anxious
senses. But tell me, don't you know why my hope that that very day he would suddenly
husband angry with me
is
appear in her room, and during the visiting

'
?
Surely he not angry.'

is
'
hours in the morning she had scarcely been able

'Yes, because he promised to come and see to breathe for suspense. But he had never
me every day. Oh Carl! oh Carl! how can come. How could he possibly stand being
you have to treat me thus!' She
the heart always turned away! If she had been in his
suddenly burst into loud sobbing. Else tried place
!
to console her. Come back again soon, Fru When once the anxiety about the state of
'
Kant,' Fru Syverts cried as Else went off. affairs at home had taken possession of her,
it
did not leave her, but developed into the most
terrible imaginings. Perhaps Tage was dying,
or was already dead, and so Knut did not dare
to come, fearing lest his sad look would reveal
i I
164 PROCESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 165
the secret Or perhaps Knut had diptheria as to convince Else that she had no reason to be
he had last year. No, Tage had diptheria, and Else was relieved for a little while, but
uneasy.
Knut could not come to the hospital for fear of her doubt and fear soon returned. It had al
infection. Or there had been a fire, and Knut ways been, and still was, quite incomprehensible
had saved Tage from the burning nursery, and to her how Knut could let her be there without
had died from his own injuries. As time went once seeing her. Now she had been there
on, and she kept brooding over this, she excited twelve days.
herself to a frenzy which persistently tortured 'What do-"ybu want your husband to do,'
her and surpassed all the other fears from which said Nurse Stenberg, '
since the professor denies
she was suffering. him admission.'
She had often wished to mention it to the '
But can't he get me out again if he wishes ?
'
assistant, but every time she was going to do so, '

If your you can be got out
it,
husband wishes
the dread of the answer tied her tongue. At in ten minutes.'
last, however, she had managed to stammer out A hope which burned like fire arose in Else's
the question, and the doctor had assured her Knut would at last lose patience,
soul, hope that
a
that her fear was an absolute delusion. and demand that she should be set free. She
Did he know it for a fact, or did he only felt as she were devoured by zeal in her hus
if
believe it ?
If
band's stead. only he would not delay too
No, but surely she understood that if such a long Every minute of the day, and every
!
thing had really happened, the rumour of it second of the night, was to her a heartrending
would have reached the hospital. Besides, her pain.
husband was constantly calling to ask for her.
Why don't you ask the professor for permis
'
Only as lately as yesterday the doctor had seen
sion to see your husband Nurse Raeder asked
'
?
him. But now he would make inquiries how the
reproachfully one evening.
child was, and he gave her his word of honour The doctor for me.'
asking
is
it
'
that he would let her know.
But perhaps the professor wishes that you
'
Nurse Stenberg and Nurse Raeder also tried
yourself should do so.'
v *
i
167
166 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS.
'Are you still resolved not to have the tooth
'
I have done so. When I lay in the cell there,
but?'
I was continually asking. Now, I can't ask that
'Yes.'
man for anything more.' on the sofa, and
Hieronimus seated himself
Still, of course, if it would be of any use she
would certainly ,ask him, gladly. But since
Else sat down again.
from your husband,
.'
I
' can
give you a message
Hieronimus was so anxious to keep Knut away, '
He asked me to
said Hieronimus graciously.
it must be because he started from the assump thriving famously, eats
tell you that the child is
tion, to her an incomprehensible one, that it was respect'
and sleeps, and is well in every
right to do so. Besides, the doctor always told She could not get out the
Else was silent
her so. That talk of the professor want she should express.
thanks which she considered
ing to regulate his treatment according to the besides Nurse Raeder
The tears choked her, and
degree of humility that she showed, must be Hieronimus making signs
was standing behind
wrong. After all, he was a physician.
' to her. , . _..
Both the child and your husband are getting looking at Else,
sat for a while,
Hieronimus
on famously,' the assistant doctor had said one smile played round his
while a compassionate
morning. On my word of honour.'
'
He had rose with a cold 'Good-
_ bloodless lips. Then he
looked Else straight in the eyes, and she had be
evening.' .
lieved him. But now, all the same, doubt had the professor that
'Now you never asked '
assailed her. Suppose it was his■' duty to secure burst out This even
question,' Nurse Raeder
her peace by means of lying. kind, sat
' ing he was so gentle and factually
God I God ! remove this cup from me,' she something.'
waiting for you to say
burst out involuntarily.
'
'
I could not,' said Else.
Why, this looks quite tragic,' said Hieronimus, him!' Nurse
•
Well you are a match for
when he came that evening. Else, who was sit ' But that's foolish of you, Fru
Raeder smiled.
ting at the window with a compress on her face expression had quite
Kant The professor's
for the toothache rose, as she was accustomed to
changed when he went'
do, when the doctors came on their round.
It was night ■ The gas was turned down and and there hasn't been a fire, and you are not
Thorgren came with hot fomentations for Else's dead, neither is your father.
cheek. '
If only you could get some sleep, Fru '
No, not papa either, he is not dead,' sounded
Kant They are quiet to-night' . a suddenly quite distinctly in Tage's clear, sweet
Yes, if she could only get some sleep. If she voice. Else lifted her head involuntarily, and
couldn't sleep,i she would go out of her mind looked round. 'Where could it possibly come
in the end. There was no doubt about that from? At other times, when in memory she
If she could only subdue that consuming rest had recalled -Tage's voice, she had heard it
lessness within her, get her heart to beat quietly, within her. But now, but now, the voice sounded
and not with these irregular, rebellious thumping outside, close to her ear. Might that not be a
beats ; if she would crush herself into complete sign that perhaps he was dead !
submission, suffer silently, silent as when the No, no, don't let go your hold of faith and
faithful before the face of God submissively bow hope. The doctor had not lied. His look had
to His will. Suffering had a purifying effect, been so steadfast and truthful. It was time for
suffering was better than vanity, and affliction, the night round.
could ennoble one. It gave solidity and led to
'
Is the tooth bad ?
'
asked the doctor, shaking
submission. f: ■
hands. .
'
'
Yes, she would be patient, suffer devoutly in v No,' Else answered, not at this moment'
spirit and in truth. A feeling akin to ecstatic '
Besides, one should not be put out at having
joy darted through her. It was not given to toothache. It distracts one's thoughts from the
every human being to suffer like this, and suffer objects they are continually pursuing.'
ing could become a sensual pleasure! It was a Else smiled faintly.
' I am in sober earnest,' the doctor nodded.
pleasure granted to her.
Little Tage, your mother is happy this evening■ 'How long do you think that I shall be
And you, too, are happy. You eat and sleep and here?'
' '
are thriving ap^ce. You have not got diptheria Chi lo sa !
"
•.■;-'■ 5 ■
,...■•
»■•'■•
•■■u *■'*-.•
.;..^*\*K ■'■:;-
'
How long are the patients here usually, at during the warm summer days. Yes, that was
'
the most, I mean ? Tage's bed, but what had become of the
'
Oh, it varies — four, five, six months.' child?
'
Oh, no, you can't mean that,' said Else with '
Tage !
'
she cried and got up.
a frightened smile. 'Did you call?' asked Thorgren, who had
'I really don't know, dear Frue. Good slipped in quietly.
night' He pressed her hand and went off. •
Listen, dear Thorgren,' said Else. '
If I
'
Now, make haste and get off to sleep.' should die here," will you tell my husband I
'
Four, five, six months,' Else repeated. She died of grief at being here, and at not being
removed the poultice from her cheek and placed allowed to see him or hear any news of the
it on the "bedside table. What did it matter if child. Do, will you promise me that?'
'
she had toothache ? You ought not to be put '
Yes, dear Fru Kant' Thorgren grasped
out at having toothache.' No, certainly notl Else's hand firmly. 'But you are not going
The worse, the better. to die.'
What had ^become of the well ? the well with Else lay down again. Now she was at the
the green walls and the distant murmur, and bottom of the well. She saw the green grown
the pale dusk and the wire netting which covered walls, felt the damp, vault-like smell, and heard
it in, and persistently effaced her from the the far-away oozing sound.Suddenly she heard
number of the living ? Why was she not lying a howl that had nothing human in
it,
and after
at the bottom of the well ? Who had dragged that a noise as heavy weights of iron and lead
if
her up, and who was pushing this stinging red- were being thrown violently on the floor. Soon
hot gimlet through her tooth up into her brain ?
after came the sound of howling from many
A
child's cot was hanging detached in the different voices, accompanied by thundering
air in front of her, a cot with a coverlet with thuds, piercing shrieks and ear-splitting yelling
large flower pattern and lace-trimmed sheet * and banging. was like the barking of mad
It
She had herself crocheted the lace upon the dogs, the of oxen, the crowing of
bellowing
counterpane and pillow in ■a summer house cocks, and the hooting of owls, and all the time
the banging went on as if the walls were being surrounded by strong arms, and Thorgren's
splintered by the blows of axes. friendly voice said :—
'
Else wanted to sit up and had not the strength Now, Fru Kant, you must not get out of
to do so. She had heavy chains about her arms bed. You" know that*
and legs, and a heavy weight on her chest Else clung to Thorgren. '
I am dying of fear,'
'
And the noise and the barking went like a she said. '
Listen I
quiver of pain, sharply zig-zagging through her 'Yes, it's pretty bad,' Thorgren replied.
'
body. She was in damp and deep under
a There are ten maniacs below, and they are all
ground room with a formidable iron gate which having a game to-night And you were lying
stood ajar opposite her. Through the keyholes so quietly just now when I looked in on you,
and hirfges of; the door she saw dancing flames I really thought, improbable as it seemed, that
of fire. Before the door on an iron block sat a you were asleep.'
'
black woman with sunken face, and eyes that Listen, listen ! Now they are under my
gleamed in the dark like phosphorus. She had bed,' Else whispered hoarsely. She sat huddled
a greyish-white indiarubber apron and a bunch together on the floor in front of Thorgren,
of keys hanging at her waist clasping the nurse's knees and hiding her face
'
This is the ante-chamber to hell, and she is in her lap.
'
going to lock; me in,' Else murmured. 'But I Now,
you poor dear, do be reasonable.
shall wait until she takes me by force.' Don't you know that those people down below
Suddenly thpre sat Tage in his nightgown on can't possibly come up here ?'
'
the lap of the black woman, his yellow curls But do stop in here ! I dare not lie down in
'
gleaming in his half light
his He waved bed again. Don't leave me ! Else rose, but
hands, crying joyfully, Mamma ! ' ' without letting go her hold of Thorgren ; drag
Else shook off her chains and the weight on ging her down on the couch, hiding her face in
her chest, and in a moment she was in the the nurse's lap, clasping her tightly with both
middle of the room. Then she felt herself hands round the waist The screams and the
poise from below continued.
Then all at once came the sound of hissing Have they been bellowing and devouring him ?
and of something being rolled out into the Knut, Knut, come and save me if you are not
corridor. Thorgren hastily shook herself free dead ! Are you dead, Knut ? Oh, show your
and got up. ' '
self to me I
'
Let me go with you. Oh, do let me go !
' '
Now I have got them to be quiet down
Else asked, quite beside herself. there.' Thorgren put her arms round Else,
'
Impossible, Fru Kant It's forbidden, I dare who still lay in the same position on the sofa.
not I I shall return to you as soon as I caa' ' '
Won't you now go quietly to bed ?
Thorgren ran out, and Else jumped out on to Else raised her head, put her arms round
•
the sofa, where she crouched together on her Thorgren, and drew her down to her. No, no,
knees with her face buried deep in the covering. sit here with me. I dare not go to bed.'
'
They are not hell-dogs, not lions who are '
Yes, for a few minutes.'
howling, and not tigers that want to eat me. They sat as before. Else, with her arms
It's only the maniacs down below! only the round Thorgren's waist and her head in her lap.
maniacs down below ! ' . . Thorgren stroked Else's back gently. Down
Oh dear, now they had all got inside her below things went on as before.
head ! How was that possible ? All ten of Gradually Thorgren's stroking became feebler
them ! and feebler and then ceased. Soon after, her
'
Don't be so restless. Don't crush and burst head glided heavily down from Else's back.
my head. I will be quiet and good ; never Else looked up cautiously. Thorgren was
shirk the sums in school, never again I ' asleep with her head leaning back against the
Then Tage came flying and wanted also to edge of the sofa. The good, kind Thorgren !
get into her head, but now there was no room How still and quiet she was I Yes, of course.
for him. Oh dear, there was no room ! ' My Otherwise she would not have been fit to be
sweet little Tage, don't go away again I don't here. Else laid her head down again, getting
go away I Where is papa ? Does he lie in that closer up to Thorgren.
yellow coffin with the pane of glass in the lid I
I■
'Knussen!'j It sounded quite close, the

flf cation ? Never ! And the state of affairs was
hoarse, hollow call. quite hopeless. Four, five, six months I Long
Else sat up with a start In the doorway before then she would have become mad, and
stood the puerperal maniac. her sufferings were a thousand times worse than
at once shook herself awake and death. She could tie her handkerchief into
Thorgren
ran out to the patient strips, together, and strangle herself.
tie them
Then Else crawled back to bed again. Now Oh, there a cock was crowing inside her head.
they had got inside her head again. No, it was No, nonsense, it was only the maniacs. If she
the maniacs, ten of them. Only to think of could die now! Absent herself from the
them all having room in there. If
only they dominion of Hieronimus. The thought brought
didn't burst her head. The pieces would fly consolation.
in all directions and it would be difficult to find But even if she died the establishment would
them when the head was*put together again. still go on. Many human beings in the same
A funeral procession passed. Dark figures in state as she would come in here and have to do
long coats who carried an empty coffin. 'Let with Hieronimus. If only she could escape
'
me lie in it Carry me away, far, far away ! alive, she could tell and warn, and perhaps save,
Else sat up in bed with a start and stretched even if it were only a single fellow-being from
out her arms after the coffin. But there was what she had experienced. No, she must
no coffin, neither were there any figures robed live.
in black. No, of course she was lying in the But hark ! there they were again, the barking
hospital, or jwas it up there among the dogs of hell, the roaring lions, the growling
mountains? No, it was the hospital. 'You tigers, howling wolves, all trying to get
the
are mad after all,' Else said to herself, lying inside her head. ' No, there is nothing else left
down carefully on the pillow. 'As soon as for you.- You must die.' With the strength of
Thorgren goes away, you are mad.' frenzy she tore her handkerchief in pieces,
Well, then, it was better to make an end of tied the ends together, and put it round her
it Should Knut and Tage have that mortifi- neck.
v
There stood Thorgren. 'It will soon be

morning now,' she said, patting Else's head.
'
Morning.' There was a familiar echo of hope
in that word, and Thorgren's hand was kind and
reassuring. ■
CHAPTER XVIII
Else was saved
In the morning the doctor came round. Else
, lay quietpher head burned, but otherwise she
felt as if her body were dead except that at
times she was conscious of a cramping sensation
in her breast which made her suddenly start
every now and then.
'
I can see to-day that you are not well, Fru
Kant,' said the doctor quietly.
Else opened her eyes quickly and stared in
fear at the doctor.
'
Oh no, no, I don't know you !
'
What are you doing here ? she cried, suddenly
putting her hands over her eyes.
'
Of course you know me. I am the assistant
physician whom you always like to talk to.'
'
Yes, but I am so frightened. I can't collect
myself for fear.'She suppressed a scream, and
once more hid her eyes with her hands.
' '
What has happened ? the doctor asked.
'
She has not been like this before.'
'
They were very bad in the night down below,'
answered Nurse Stenberg, to whom the question
was addressed■! '

And tnen sne never gets any seeing the death agony of the mouse when the
sleep.' ,
j
cat bit and played with it
To-day Fru'Kant is quite mad.' Else began to take courage and to hope.
Else partly opened her eyes, and saw the The fact of having safely passed through the
young assistant with the smooth face standing crisis of last night, gave her courage and new
'
in the door, (talking with Nurse Raeder. He strength. Without food or drink, even a hero
was twisting his thin moustache, and the mean is nowhere,' said Nurse Raeder when she
ingless smile familiar to Else spread almost to brought the breakfast tray. 'We are going to
his eyes. 'Now, I'm going to have a talk with have things nice and comfortable. Here is a
her,' he said. I j warm cutlet and some nice sandwiches.'
'
Else turned her whole body towards the wall Yes, do eat now,' said Nurse Stenberg.
so violently triat the iron bed shook and the '
Now I am going to do what I once did in the
assistant went away baffled. cell.' With a smile she took Else under her
'Now my jcjup is full,' Else said to herself. arms and propped her up.
'
To-day must) jend it Neither infuriated gods, '
Yes, I am going to eat,' said Else, and took
'
nor anxious human beings, nor outraged angels, the tray. But now listen, Nurse Stenberg.
nor wicked dej/ils could demand more. Even You, who have been more to me than you your
Hieronimus himself must now think it enough. self are aware of, won't you now go down to the
God in heaven ! how have I sinned ? and what professor and tell him that I will not stay here
can they have told Knut that he has not forced any longer, that I demand and insist that he
'
his way to me, with drawn sword if need were ? shall send me home, or at least, permit me to
But to-day there should be an end of it speak to my husband. Last night I fought
Surely in these days one did not desire the de against madness. Oh, you don't know what I
struction of a human being, at least, in this have gone through.'
'
brutal way anct under the pretence of kindness No,' said Nurse Stenberg, ' perhaps you ought
and doing one good. And besides Hieronimus never to have come here. But I don't under
was not an enemy. He was only amused at stand these things,' she added anxiously.
I
■'ill
182 PROFESSOR
; HIERONIMUS |
'■;;Ti
*
No, but go now and tell him tell him that human being, who in the most extreme
is
;
I demand to be sent home and insist on it' suffering, pray you to seek out my husband,
I
'
Yes,' said Nurse Stenberg, ' I will go now.' the only person have to rely on, and tell him
I
Else waited, confidently, almost gladly. Her how things are with Will you do that
'
me.
?
knowledge and her own judgment of the state The doctor nodded. Tell him,' said Else, sit
'
of affairs gavi her assurance. ting up in bed, and grasping the doctor's hands,
As before, when Nurse Stenberg had been that have been in cell amongst maniacs, and
'
a
I I
down to for permission to that live in hell that enough to drive the
is
have recourse
a
a^kj;
to a dentist, I she returned, sad and crestfallen. sanest person out of her mind. Will you do
The professor had not answered a word. that?'
'
Don't think any more of Fru Kant It Yes, Frue, shall tell him whenever see
it,
'
is
I
I
useless.' jhkj him.'
,
Else fell Jnto' towering passion. Who was No, you must go to the house to him, do you
'
a
:y It
'■
he then, this
wretched Hieronimus What did hear? You must. might be long time
a
?
he think and Imean and wish But surely there before you happen to meet him.'
?
were other means. The assistant doctor He 'Yes, shall do what can for you.' The
I
I
!
was humanjbeing after all. doctor pressed Else's hands and went off.
a
Can't yû' ask the assistant doctor to come Thank God thank God The doctor would
'
I
to me Else Nurse Rjieder do what he could, surely He understood the
'
Risked few hours

a
?
!
later. whole state of affairs. And even officially he
if
'
.
j,j
j
Yes, the' assistant doctor was just on his had no permission to interfere in Hieronimus'
quiet rounds. She would tell him. affairs, he would say to himself that necessity
j::
Soon after■); the doctor stood by Else's bed, knows no laws. Thank God thank God
!
calm and mild, and reliable as ever. Now she wanted to get up and go into the
was mad this morning when you were here,' corridor and look at the patients. 'When night
'
I
said Else. "I; darkest, dawn nighest'
is
could
is
remember nothing, and
I
didn't know you, not even you. But now as To-day the doctor would go to Knut, and
a
/
184 PROFES?jd>R HIERONIMUS
■
ii !'••
Knut would come straightway and release
hen i i
'
J
'
Well, dear Fnj j Kant, you are looking so
lively to-day.' Madonna Hansen came bustling
in while Else sat on the edge of the bed, putting
on her stockings. 'I miss you in the daytime,
as you may belieVe. I seem to have lost you.
CHAPTER XIX
But what is that?'i' Her tone became full of
compassion.
'
:; you using strings for ELSE paced up and down in her room. Through
Are|
garters?' M':. the open door she had seen the countess, tall and
'Yes, because /they sent everything back, stately in her dress of fine black woollen
everything, even my large I go fur cape. material trimmed with black lace, standing with
about in the corridor shivering in my dressing- her arms crossed in the folding-doors that led to
gown. Dear me, I ! couldn't possibly have hung .the corridor. Else had spoken to her several
myself in my fur cape.' < times, and the countess' calm, gentle manners
'Now then,' Madonna Hansen shook her had had a consoling effect upon her. But to-day
finger, while her large eyes smiled. She then she was in such suspense that she preferred to
' The doctor had promised
quickly took off her■knitted woollen vest Take be alone. to talk to
this,' she said, ' it is inice and warm.' , -■ Knut
' The poor countess
Thanks, but then you yourself will be cold.' ! Else could not believe
'
No, not I. I have other things to put on. that there was anything wrong with her mind.
But now I must go. Good-bye, Fru Kant' At first she had believed it The story that the
She ran out nodding to Else who gave her a countess had told her sounded so improbable.
grateful look. :| Through stratagem and force she had been
brought to the hospital by Hieronimus and a
relation, and had suddenly been told that she
was out of her mind, and was to go to bed, and
\
-■
186 PJtpFESSOR HIERONIMUS \ PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 187
she knew no other reason for this, except that got ready for the countess. contained two
It
her family were angry with her because she put beds, and between the high small-paned windows,
Christianity into practice and adopted the two which had the effect of an iron grating, stood
a
little children of a fisherman, and had put them sofa, with well worn black damask cover. There
in her will entitled to part of her fortune and was also table and an old arm-chair.
asj
a
;
then there was the revolver that Thorgren had 'What do you think of the professor?' said
talked of. iThat revolver the countess had had the countess, when they had sat down.
undisputedi possession of for twenty-two years, Nothing/ said Else sadly don't under
'
'
I
;
and white powder in box had been taken for stand him.'
a
a
poison, but was nothing but ordinary face But surely he open to conviction.
Surely
it
is
'
powder. She had likewise during part of her he can see purely invention about my mad
is
it
life slept with lighted candle 'during the night, ness ?,'
a
and was accused of being afraid of anarchists.

.
Yes, one would think But heaven knows.'
i
so.
'
Yes, the story sounded strange, and Else had He must be convinced. The force of God's
'
considered hallucination. But by
partly words must convince him.'
!it
talking with the nurses, she had not discovered Can you really talk to him can't bring
»I
'
?
any other reasons than those mentioned by the myself to do it'
countess, f6r the suspicion of madness on which 'Oh, yes,' the countess exclaimed. 'He
is
she had been locked up. not an earnest Christian but he an honest
is
i
Come and sit with me for little, will you it
'
man. believe must believe The
'
a
it
'
!
Else, whb was on her way to the window, turned countess clenched her hands and turned up her
suddenly. In the door stood the countess with eyes. If only had my Bible.'
'
I
I
her sorrowful and gentle, deep blue eyes.

face, Can't you ask them to let you have Bible,
'
a
Her brown hair curled in little rings round her then?'
white forehead, and covered her temples as far 'You may be sure that the first thing
is
I
as her ears. They went together into the asked for, but have not obtained one. Wouldn't
I
room alongside Else's. It was being you also like to have one
'
spacious
*
?
■
J
?
'
Oh, I don't know,' answered Else, while a speak to him. As soon as my husband knows
heavy sigh escaped her. how matters really are he will come at once.'
' '
But you believe in God ?
Else felt hope stir warmly within her.
Else nodded. '
Yes, it is strange that you should be here,'
' '
And in Jesus Christ ?
said the countess thoughtfully. '
This is a place
Else nodded again. for maniacs and criminals. I can't understand
It didn't seem to her that it was the time and how you can go about in the cell corridor. To
place to explain what an infidel was, and she day I was standing "in the doorway, only a
did not want to hurt the feelings of this kind little while, and I suffered terribly only from
human being. looking at them.'
'
Then let us pray " Where two or '
together. I regard it as a kind of diversion,' Else
three are gathered together, there am I in the answered. '
Now they all know me, and some
midst of them." Now ,we'll pray that you may of them smile when they see me.'
be relieved from
your toothache at the same '
No, I don't understand it,' exclaimed the
time. Oh, I heard how you were weeping dur countess suddenly, and clapped her hands to
ing the night, and the maniacs ! But, fancy ! I gether.
'
I have never in my life suffered in
slept all the same, not the whole night but part the least from nerves, and my doctor — I have
of it' '«■» i
asked permission to see him, but it has been
'
You are lucky to be able to sleep,! said Else. denied. Can you understand it ? Yes, if I had
'That is God's strength and mercy. Every not my faith in God I should go mad with brood
night I lay myself in the arms of Jesus and ing over it; but God is my strength.'
there I am safe from all harm and you ought to
do the same.' In the afternoon Else was in the cell corridor.
'
Yes,' and Else sighed. Granny sat crouching in her usual corner by the
*
But have you not yet been allowed to see stove, and the young woman with the heavy
your husband ? ' head stood continually behind the door, looking
'
No, but to-day the ' doctor has promised to askance at Else, who passed slowly up and down
t
.>■
•
with her hands at her back. The other patients '

I
told him that you were rather bad.'
'
were in bed. Now it was half-past four, Nurse And he didn't want to see me, to do any
'
Suenson had' told her. But Knut might still thing ?
come and fetch her. The evening she had come Again the doctor answered, 'No,' with the
in, it was si^ o'clock when they arrived. If she same astonished look.
could get admitted here at six o'clock, surely '
Then you have not done what I told you,'
one could also be let out at the same hour. Else cried in a tone expressing reproach, despair,
All at once Else heard a man's, steps behind and anger.
her. She turned round suddenly. Expectation
*
I
don't understand in the least what you
shot like a shiver through her. mean,' the doctor said irritably and reproach
The doctor came towards her. fully. 'What do you expect your husband to
'
I have se^n your husband,' he said, and his do ? He could not keep you at home. It is
voice was not' so slow as usual. It was as if it indeed a man's last resource to put his wife in
had been jogged on. such a place Now he has given the
as this.
Else coulcj hot speak. She felt her eyes burn matter over into the able hands of the professor,
'
with inquiry. and can do nothing but let things' take their
'
I was fortunate enough to meet him in the course.'
quadrangle.' Else stood staring in front of her. It was as
'
What did! he say ?
'
The" question came if she were sinking and sinking, and as she
breathlessly." ', sank, her body seemed to turn to stone.
'
'
That they were getting on famously, both he I don't understand why you are always so
and the child.' the doctor added, annoyed. '
discontented,' Look
' '
Isn't he going to take me away ? at the others.' His look glanced to the ever-
' No,' said the dbctor, with a look of displeased cheerful and chattering granny. '
You are well
surprise. enough off" as you are. What more do you
'
Did you not tell him how things were with want ? I have kept on hoping that you would
me?' calm down. We all wish you were well, but
J
! I
y-
192
there doesn't seem to be any chance of that'

He turned his, back on her and hastily left the
cell corridor. i
j
Now for the first time it became clear to
Else how matters were.
: ! ■
CHAPTER XX
SHE sank down on the chair by the yellow table.
Her hands lay loose in her lap, and she felt a
cold perspiration trickle down her nose and fore
head. It was as if she had around her a bound
V:ii less desert whose terrible emptiness flung its im
pression on her brain, rushed through her body,
soughing and soughing, wanting to make her
part of the emptiness, part of the naked nothing
of this terrible wilderness.
'You must die after all,' she said quietly to
*
herself— this very night' She had put the
torn handkerchief inside , her pillowcase, and
now thanked God that she had not thrown it
away as she had intended.
'
You should put something around your head,
Fru Kant ' — Nurse Stenberg passed — * now,
while we are ventilating the room. Remember
!
your toothache.'
. Else returned to her room. She sat down in
N
•■I
■' !j
■i i
H: ■
:
^
• >■
■■.■■.,■-
V PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS
194 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 195
the large chair at the

window, quietly staring in He would chatter a little about her now and then,
brought her and then forget her for ever. Happy those who
front of her, until Nurse Raeder
could believe in a future life where one would
supper at seven o'clock.
would be meet one's dear ones after death. She would
To-morrow by this time her room
six waited patiently through eternities if
empty. The corpse had to be removed have she
Where would had only been certain once more of holding the
hours after death at the latest
No, they had a mor child in her arms-
they take her? Home?
the dead were Yes, it would have been a consolation in this
tuary here at the hospital where
wooden hour to have been able to have the countess'
laid. She. saw herself lying on the
other corpses. Had faith. Then she could have wept Oh, how
bench side by side with the
men and women? it would have been to have been able to
they different mortuaries for
good
all were alike. , •
What did it matter? In death weep! .
would come with the coffin and But wouldn't do she tried to imagine that
it"
if
And then Knut
she had faith, and to cling to Christ's beauti
fetch her. .
j
her life to escape ful words In my father's
So after all it would cost her
house are many
'
:
was not too
from this place. Well, well, that place for you.'
mansions. go to prepare
a
I
dear a pried No price was too dear to pay for She folded her hands and tried to pray, but
this plac^. in vain. Suddenly she rose and went into
deliveranc^lfrom
So it had the countess' room. The countess had just
Knut she would never see again
!
said good-bye, and finished supper.

been for ever when he had
the doorstep. Oh, Had you favourable answer from the
'
kissed her] out there on
a
to me, you doctor?' the countess asked, approaching Else
Knut ! Knut ! You have been good
' with friendly air.
a
have ! you have indeed !
to the heart, Answer — the doctor

Tage,' little Tagel It cut her
Else started.
'
'
?
?
Nevermore! Never Didn't he promise to speak to your husband
'
'
and seemef to choke■her.
?
Then Else remembered. No,' she said with
'
more to set your fair curly head
!
But, thank God ! he was too little to

miss her. shake of the head,
a
-s\
196 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS iy7
'Don't lose courage.' The countess put both breath, her breast heaving.
Under the blankets
her hands on Else's shoulders and looked which reached to her chin
and hung down
' loosely at the sides of the bed,
lovingly into her eyes. Remember that Jesus the contour of a
loves you and is near you. stiff body was visible. The broad square face
•
Vou must not despair,' the countess continued had a blue tinge with
black sockets under the
as Else did not answer, ' I will pray for you. eyes, and the short, dark
hair adhered to the
A Christian never despairs. Promise me not to damp forehead and ears. A
nurse and an as-
despair, will you?' She kissed Else on both sistent bent over the woman.
cheeks. « The assistant drew up one of her
eyelids and
A Onoise was heard out in the cell corridor. put his finger on the pupil. •
She is ready now '
Heavy, firm steps as of people carrying some he said, producing a
small syringe. The nurse
burden, and other steps, lighter and quicker. exposed the patient's
shoulder, and the doctor
' gave the woman a hypodermic
Perhaps that's a new patient,' said the coun injection.
tess. 'Put ice in her mouth every
half-hour,' he
Else nodded listlessly. said, and went off.
Soon after a strong smell of carbolic pene 'What's the matter with her?'
Else asked
trated, to them. frightened.
i j ,
'
How tiresome not to be able to shut one's 'She has taken carbolic acid,'
the nurse re
door,' exclaimed the countess, holding her hand plied. 'It's a workman's wife.
Just think, she
kerchief to her nose. has left six little children.
They have lived so
When Else left the countess, she saw through unhappily, and her husband has
ill-treated her
the open folding-doors a nurse and one of the So to-day, she got'dinner
ready, and when her
students come running along the corridor. husband came home and
commenced to grumble
as usual, she went out
Quite mechanically Else followed them. to the kitchen exclaim
'"
In the last cell, the one in which the countess ing, Well, you shall never see me
any more." '
had been, a woman lay on the bed, propped 'Poor woman,' said Else,
shuddering.
high with pillows, breathing with hollow rattling •The husband only laughed
and remarked
'
i Ml
198 i PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS \
that she had said that so often. But immedi disgust This woman who had fled like a
ately afterwards he heard the sound of a fall and coward from her sufferings and duties had left
of terrible shrieks. The poor children ! They her children so cruelly and faithlessly in the
had thrown themselves crying on the mother lurch. The poor little ones, they had clung to
and would not let go when she was carried off.' the mother and would not let her go.
' '
Do you think she will die ? The sorrow of this picture touched Else to
The nurse shrugged her shoulders and looked the quick, and her tears came with a rush.
mysterious. What a relief it was ! The stony feeling within
Else went into the cell and stood looking at her was dissolved and flowed away with these
the suicide who lay as before, the rattling noise tears. And here in front of this suicide with
still continuing, while a bluish-white froth trickled the death rattle and the livid face and the froth
from her wide mouth. Her chest heaved up on her mouth, Else pledged herself not to take
and down, and now and then a sudden twitch her life. Not if she were to be imprisoned for
convulsed it
Else was trembling with fear, and the rest of her days.
'
the smell of the carbolic made her sick, but she Don't stand there any longer. It isn't good
could not tear herself away from the terrible for you.' Nurse Stenberg took Else by the
sight She forgot all her own suffering, and only shoulders and led her away.
seemed to take in the one fact that she stood in
front of the irrevocable of/ life — death. Death by
one's own hand I And not even if the world
collapsed, or if a thousand men gave their lives
to buy her back, could this human being be
won back to the number of the living. Irrevo-
cable: — ended Death, death by one's
for ever.
own hand ! That was what it looked like.
All at once she realised to her horror that
she felt not only compassion but disgust ; mostly
'Oh that chloral! If only could escape
I
taking it'
Here we behave like good children,' said
'
Thorgren, smiling again.
How she getting on in there said Else,
is
'
'
?
pointing to the wall against which her bed stood.
It was next the suicide's cell.
i ■■i CHAPTER XXI
It will soon be over,' replied Thorgren, look
'
! 'ii■
'
I
HAVE come to say good-bye to you,' said ing at Else with steady smile.
a
Thorgren ■later, when Else had gone to bed. Is she to lie there the whole night
'
'
?
'We haye; orders that the door of the cell Yes, until to-morrow. She must be washed
'
corridor is to be kept locked during the night and laid straight That will be my work and
You and ! the countess are to have a nurse to Nurse Suenson's.'
yourselves in the night as well. There she is Don't you think horrid asked Else with
'
it
'
!
?
It is Nurse Bohn.' shudder.
a
'
Good-evening, Fru Kant' A tall, thin," dark No, we are so used to it That — when the
is
'
woman with the kind but firm expression that very dirty, becomes rather un
is
corpse
it
schoolmistresses often have, shook Else's hand. pleasant* They are sometimes very dirty about
'What ''nice easy work you will have!' the feet and legs. But now, good-night, Fru
Thorgren sat down on the sofa with her arms Kant' Thorgren rose. Now do be good and
'
■
folded her lap. Now mind and be kind to obedient'
'
}ri
Fru Kant! She nodded and smiled. insist can hear her rattling in there,' Else said to
'
'
;
I
I
on that. This my Frue, you under Nurse Bohn when she came with the chloral.
is
'
stand.' Nurse Bohn listened moment
a
;
We'lli soon get on 'together,' said Nurse Bohn Impossible,' she said, shaking her head.
*
'
with slight smile as she pressed Else's hand Yes, when am lying alone.'
'
I
ai
warmly. i,'
Now I've come with your chloral.' You are mistaken, Frue.'
'
%i:>■...:,
i ■f
I
202 PROFESSOR HIERON1MUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 203
'
It's darker than usual this evening,' Else make sure that the torn handkerchief was there.
remarked.
Yes, God be thanked! Nurse Raeder had not
'
Yes, I have purposely turned down the gas a found it when she made her bed this morning.
little lower, because I thought you might be Now she must get rid of it because the day
able to sleep more easily. But if you wish I will after to-morrow the bedclothes would be
turn it up again.'
changed.
'No, thank you. I'll just try. Good How far had the death struggle advanced
night' now. She_raised her head, put her ear to the
Oh that smell of carbolic acid that Else could wall, and listened. No, she could hear
not get out of her nostrils. The smell of car nothing.
bolic and suicide, suicide and the smell of car
Just as she put back her head she heard a
bolic. They blended in one in Else's imagina sound like the creaking of a rusty pump. Did
tion.
it come from that cell ? It seemed to Else as if
Strange things happen in this world. it came just behind her neck. She wanted to
Now she was lying here side by side with a call Nurse Bonn but couldn't find her voice.
strange suicide ! A fortnight ago who would Fear pressed the blood like the pricking of pins
have thought that possible ? But if it had chanced
against her temples. She kept her head in the
that any other patient had been brought into same position, raised from the pillow. She felt
the next cell this evening, it would have been
as if she had a photographer's head-support at
Else who would have been the suicide, and the the back of her neck.
'
,
other woman would have been lying side by She forced
Then she heard a long gurgle.
side with her, perhaps feeling the same fear and
her neck free from the head-support, turned her
disgust that she did. These chances in life
head, and looked out on to the corridor. The
governed and regulated the whole. A suicide chair was empty. Else put her head carefully
had savedher from becoming a suicide ! A back on the pillow.
feeling of thankfulness passed through her, and How quiet it was this evening I No sound
she put her hands inside the pillowcover to
from the corridor, and nothing to be heard from
.
>
204 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS I PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 205
the maniacs belpw. It was as if they all knew hand round Else's neck and drew her head to
that death was visiting the place. She shut her You are not afraid, Fru Kant
'
her breast
'
?
eyes and folded her hands on her breast Her •Yes, am,' Else whispered, clutching the
I
mind was full of languid devotion, and she nurse's hands spasmodically.
breathed inaudibly. 'But why?'
Then suddenly there lay the suicide beside Stay with me. Draw your
don't know.
'
I
her outside the blankets. She heard the death chair up to the bed and sit down.'
i i
of the proximity of the forbidden, Fru Kant must sit out
in
rattle, was conscious
It
is
'
I
leaden face arid
■ the bluish-white froth on her the corridor. Remember that have also to
I
. i i
mouth, and ■the
' 1! I
smell of carbolic filled her look after the countess.'
I
nostrils. She sat up quickly, staring as one dis She asleep.'
is
'
tracted at the! tlanket by her side. There was No, she isn't have just been in there and
'
I
nothing to be 'seen. She pressed her hands to found her sitting up in bed.'
her side and tr : ed to collect herself. Then she 'You must not gol Don't go!' Else put
called hoarsely to Nurse Bohn, who came in. at her arms round the nurse's waist and clung
once. to her.
,
'
How is shq n there?' Else whispered. 'I could stay. would do
it
only wish
I
I
'
She is dead willingly for can see that you are frightened.
I
'When did i she die?' But only be calm. The others tell me that you
i !
'
A quarter jof an hour ago.' are so sensible.'
'
How do you know ? ' 'Yes, yes,' said Else with convulsive sigh.
a
'
I went out look at her.' She let go her hold of Nurse Bohn and lay back
:tp
they are talking in there

Listen
'
in bed.
'
Else took hold of Nurse Bonn's hands with Whenever you call me, shall come at once.
'
I
such sudden 'movement that she started. can always hear you immediately.' Nurse
a
I
Suenson and Thorgren who are laying Bohn placed the blankets over Else. had 'I
It
is
'
out the body.' Nurse Bohn placed her free better turn the gas little higher.' Else began
a
i :
to listen to the voices of Thorgren and Nurse open the door and run in. Goodness knows
if
Suenson from the cell. Once or twice, Thorgren, they had let out the gas. Wasn't usual to
it
it seemed to Else, gave a subdued laugh. She leave light with the dead?
a
heard the splashing of water, and a sound as if The poor weeping children who would not
they were using brushes. let their mother go Now they had no longer
!
When the doctor came on his night round, mother. But they did not know that There
a
he spoke jestingly, and in even more friendly she lay, dead, in one of these cells destined for
fashion than usual to Else. But she made only maniacs, criminals, and suicides. Else had also
the necessary replies. She had believed the lain there. And now she was lying quite close
doctor's friendliness arose from understanding to the dead, and she did not want to die. Little
and consequent compassion for her. Since the Tage's mother was still alive. Little Tage A
!
afternoon shei ' knew better. She was thrown cry broke from her without producing tears.
. i
completely on her own resources. She must Yes, she would live for Tage's sake.
rely exclusively on her own strength, in her Her eyes felt tired, but sleep was far away.
struggle not to go under. Now the suicide lay once more beside her,
'I
am glad to find you so quiet,' said the but now she made no rattling noise. She lay
doctor at last, j He remained standing a moment there quiet and perfectly naked under sheet on
a
looking at : her with a searching glance that Else's bed outside the blankets. Else felt dis
expressed some surprise. Then he said '
Good tinctly the cold from her dead body, and the
'
night and went off. smell of carbolic was mingled with the odour of
Now there was absolute quiet in the ad death.
joining cell. They had finished then. They Else cry out and to open her
longed to
must have removed ■the blankets and covered eyes but could not do so. The corpse had
her with a sheet They had also put out the glided on to her chest and was suffocating her.
gas, so that she lay in the black darkness, and She struggled and fought for air and power to
they had probably shut the cell door, no, locked move. But she could not move finger. Now
a
for otherwise any of the patients might tear Oh, God
it,
she was dying. she was dying after
!
''\
i
m
!!!!!!!!■
208 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS !
all, suffocated to death by this strange suicide. the suicide was beside her, ice-cold, heavy, and
She was already dead. Only in her head at redolent of carbolic and of death.
'
the very top, was a small spot which still lived. It's madness that is coming on me,' said Else
It was the last part of the life of the body to herself. She sat up with difficulty, and called
which had crawled up, and there sat the death for Nurse Bohn. 'Please give me a glass of
agony, glowing like a red-hot nail. water,' she said. The nurse brought what she
Then she heard distinctly something snap asked, and Else drank a little. She began to
inside her head. Else made a final violent ask Nurse Bohn about various matters so that
effort and with a sound in her throat as when a the would stay with her a little
nurse while.
cork is drawn from a bottle she drew a breath Nurse Bohn replied kindly but shortly.
'
and 'opened her eyes. The corpse had disap You know you must sleep,' she said as she
She tried to sit up and call for Nurse turned round and smoothed Else's pillow. '
peared. It's
Bohn, but could not Her body was as if so quiet to-night'
paralysed. She tried to move her arm a little. Else dipped the edge of her handkerchief in
Yes ! she could do that What use would- it be. the glass of water which the nurse had left on
however, if Nurse Bohn came in. She did not the table by the bed, and bathed her eyes. Then
dare tell her this hallucination about the suicide. she was better able to keep them open.
'
Everything here is interpreted as madness,' But she did not dare to lie down again. The
Madonna Hansen had said one of the first even hallucination would come more easily if she did.
ings, and that had made her cautious. She leant her head and shoulder against the wall
Again her eyes closed with fatigue, but she and concentrated all her strength on keeping her
hastened to open them. She did not dare to eyes open. All the same they closed again after
keep them closed .lest the hallucination should a while, and a few moments later, there beside
come back. At last she could do so no longer. her lay the suicide. She started up, clenched
The lids were so terribly heavy. In spite of her hands together, and writhed in agony and
her exertions they closed again. And at once pain.
O
'•
•
'
210 'jpROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 211
'
Are you then really going mad ? Is your but there must be a medium— and she had
strength exhausted now ? Has the brain got a none. They must make an exception, they
crack somewhere, or is it softening ? ' must show mercy. She lay on her knees in the
If she had been allowed to get up and walk middle of the bed with her hands clasped and
about on the floor, or if Nurse Bohn had stayed stretched out, and now her eyes were wide open,
with her ! Should she call her in, and take her and the heaviness and fatigue of the eyelids had
»
into her confidence ? For a moment the tempta disappeared.
tion was' great, but she overcame it Nurse Then suddenly a howl as of wild beasts was
Bohn would consider it her duty to tell the pro heard, and a noise as when the storm breaks
fessor about it They were so conscientious, loose on the sea. Else grew stiff with fear for a
these nurses. moment, but then remembered that it was the
No, no, no I She would fight, fight to the last maniacs below, and a feeling of relief went
She was still perfectly sane. It was only when through her. She lay back quietly on the pillow.
her eyes closed, and this gentle
soughing began Thank God for the maniacs I As long as they
in the back of her head, it was only then that kept on, her eyes would not close, and the
she lost control over her imagination. suicide would not come.
Yes, she would struggle, would go down on .'Yes,' said Nurse Bohn, standing in front of
her knees in the bed, fold her hands and cry the bed and looking anxiously at Else.
' '
from her soul for help. Coiicentrate her agony, We are so accustomed to
it,
too,' said Else
and fear, and pain, in a burning appeal to herself, with strange smile, grasping Nurse Bonn's
a
to her reason, and to her will, to her bodily hand and holding in hers.
it
strength which had always been great, and to will come in immediately and sit down for
•
I
her dear ones who were dead. Perhaps they little,' said Nurse Bohn, freeing her hand.
a
could hear her, and keep watch round her. Who can understand
•
how this must frighten you.
I
could tell ? The spiritualists said they were But first must have look at the countess
a
I
about us in the air, and could be made to talk, who also awake.'
is
v\
-
111!
luck It was
'
Good-morning and good Yes, in the dark
'
!
Nurse Bolin's voice. But Else felt change within her. A dull
a
'Good luck!' Else repeated, looking at the
apathy took possession of her mind, and in
a
nurse in amazement melancholy way she felt resigned to her fate.
'|
'Yes, ypu have been asleep. Slept quietly If she had not become mad these last two
for an hour and three quarters. The maniacs
nights she need have no fear for the future,
ceased about four o'clock. A quarter after, you
and the thought of suicide was thousand miles
a
were sleeping. Now it's six. That's the first
off. Now she could endure all that happened.
It seems as
if
time since;! you came here.
I
She felt crushed and subdued, but at the same
brought good luck with me.' time strengthened, She got up as usual to
Nurse Stenberg, as she
'Good :luck,' said wash, after which she used to go to bed again
came on her round, and she patted Else on the and lie there for few hours. She felt
a
so■
'
cheek. exhausted that she could scarcely totter on her
ji■
.
;
i
Good luck.' Thorgren came, smile on her
a
in
'
shaking legs to the little washstand the
:
rosy cheekî which no night vigil seemed to pale, corner. Her head swam and cloud came
a
and heartUy; gave Else both her hands. 'You
over her eyes, so that she had to support herself
had to give in at last' along the wall, and in spite of her sleep her
'Good luck,' Suenson greeted her with her
head felt as heavy as lump of lead.
a
faint smilej shaking hands quietly. Before she went to bed again she dragged
Nurse Boeder was there also and Madonna herself out into the cell corridor and looked at
Hansen, and they were all delighted because the suicide through the glass pane in the locked
Else had fclept door. She lay in the bed on the bare mattress,
Good luck,' thought Else but none of them covered with sheet which clung tightly round
'
a
;
knew what these two words meant to her. Do the body, so that looked long, unshapely
it
a
we all trjen, speak and act in the dark in this mass. The wider part of the body was so
world ?'••'' swollen that Else could only see the outline of
i
''
\
yf,. ■>»**-
*■■»■•.
; ■!
214
the head under the covering sheets. And

there wasnothing else in the cell. A pale
ray of sunlight 'fell in through the window and
illumined the I greyish-yellow patch on the
swollen body. ,
CHAPTER XXII
.
DAYS passed nights passed.
and Else pre
served her apathetic calm, but on her breast
there lay weight which impeded her breathing,
a
and she had headache which never ceased.
a
Pain took up its abode in her forehead, and
beat there so violently that seemed to Else
it
as her temples must give way and at last fall
if
: off. She who had never in her life known what
y
.
headache was
I
Once when Hieronimus asked whether she
had any other pain than the toothache which
continued persistently, and for which she now
had injections of morphia given her twice every
twenty-four hours. She had complained of this
■
■I■
headache, and had added that was some
it
.
■,
thing she had never had before. H-m,»
'
,
Hieronimus had remarked with his thin sus-

picious smile, and Else had given him look
a
.
of contempt It was not the first time that he

SI 6 PROCESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 217
' '
with his scornful h-m had made it appear as with a tone of sarcasm perceptible even to her
if she were a liar. Oh this Hieronimus ! own ears.
Fortunately he did not come round so regu But, as a rule, she had only a 'Yes' and a
larly as the assistant Every Wednesday evening 'No' to the questions of the doctor and
he missed coming on account of his lectures, Hieronimus. Her only consolation was the
and once he had been away on a journey. Else unchanged, ever-increasing kindness and care
was grateful When she was spared the sight of the nurses.
of him. ■
I Through .Nurse-Stenberg Else had got per
The assistant was kind and jocular as usual, mission to write a list of the things that she
but Else did not enter into conversation with originally had brought with her, as there was
him as before. i It seemed to her that it was no reason why she should not have them back
wasted energy,! and she had so little of that again. Nurse Stenberg had been with the list
to spare. , . . . _*■- to the professor,who had at once promised to
•What a stoical calm,' .the doctor would now send for them to Else's home. Since then Else
! i
and then remark to Nurse Stenberg. had waited patiently, and with a secret hope
It chanced, however, that the assistant got that Knut would smuggle a note to her inside
another glimpse of Else's fiery disposition ; for the packet That was now three days ago.
instance, once, when he told her that he had In the afternoon Else went to bed about five
promised to show the countess; who had never o'clock. Her head ached, her tooth ached, and
seen Else's pictures, a copy of one of them, she felt in such pains and so exhausted that she
'Oh, no, don't do that,' Else said in a dissuad could not, sit up. Since the one-hour-and-a-
ing tone. She knew that her productions could quarter's sleep, which had so delighted the
have no valuei in the countess's estimation. nurses, Else had been sleepless again. The
'
Oh, you know, you have no need to be morphia had a deadening effect on both her
ashamed of your work,' the doctor had answered head and the tooth, and kept the pains at a
'
consolingly, '■No, really ! Else had replied distance, but it did not bring sleep, and in spite
of that they continued to give her the chloral.
i■» M I
V !
■
Else lay on' her side in the bed, with her hand
'Then she had only to cross the yard and
under her chin, and listened to Nurse Raeder, into
go through the little back door the
who sat on the sofa with her crochet and talked
street'
about her childhood in Jutland. The words '
Was the door open then ?
'
which were uttered in a smooth, rather monoto '
Yes, it's always open.'
nous, soft, and agreeable voice, reached Else's ' '
And the keys hang in the kitchen ?
ears as if from a distance, and the ideas they '
but. not any longer. So you know,
Yes ;
evoked were dim and indistinct Then Nurse
Fru Kant, in case you think of running away.'
Stenberg was also on the sofa beside Nurse Nurse Stenberg smiled again, a warning smile
Raeder. They were talking together, but Else That was just what Else had thought
to Else.
could not follow them.
of. Like a ray of agony and hope the thought
Suddenly Nurse Raeder said, 'Well, Karen, had flashed through her.
she who ran away —'
""*
'
Here's the round. Now the doctors are
'
Where did she run away from ? ' Else asked.
coming.' Nurse Stenberg rose quickly and
'
From this hospital before our very noses.' . Nurse Raeder,
went to the head of the bed.
'
I did not think it was possible for any one to and rose. Hieroni-
too, put away her crochet,
escape from here.' and sat down in the chair at the
mus entered
'
Oh yes,! that has happened.' Nurse Stenberg table beside the bed.
'
smiled. This Karen was so/ crafty, she had
'You did send my list home, professor?' Else
managed to insinuate herself so, that I gave her
asked, when the usual questions had been asked.
permission to help in the cleaning in the morn '
Yes, several days ago.'
ing, and so she had access to the kitchen, and
'I can't understand it,' Else replied.
'
Nurse
she took the opportunity of being alone for a Stenberg says that nothing has come for me.'
moment to steal the keys of the kitchen stairs — ' '
I not
No,' Nurse Stenberg put in, have
they hang on a nail outside — and off she went'
received anything.'
'
But when she came down from the kitchen, ' Else went on.
'
It's quite incomprehensible,'
what then ? Else asked interested. 'The note cannot have reached my husband
or he would at once have sent what I asked

you.'
'But / said there was no hurry,' came with
slow complacency from the professor.
' '
Oh ! did you do that, professor ? Else
'
broke out angrily. No, there is no hurry,
except that I should have to go daily shivering CHAPTER XXIII
for want of clothes, if one of these nurses had
not lent me a woollen shawl.' ThE next Nurse Stenberg came with
forenoon
'
Well, then, you need not feel cold,' said Hier- Else's things which she carried in her apron.
onimus in the same amiable tone. She had opened the parcel and carefully ex
'But why fhpuld I borrow when I have amined the contents before handing it over to
■
clothes of my own? Why should I be denied Else. ■ . .
the necessary articles of clothing ? ' The words So there was no note from Knut No, of
came in an irrtyable and trembling voice. course not ; but, thank God ! now she had her
'
But there is no harm in learning self-denial,' garters and could get rid of the cord that had
said Hieronimus in a pious tone. Else wrinkled cut into her knees. Her watch and key were
her eyebrows and said no more. there too — and the nail-scissors and the little
'A vulgar man, that Hierpnfmus.' hand-glass, and the china box with the lip
Hieronimus remained seated, leaning back in pomade and the bottles of scent, and besides
the chair. He seemed lost in thought If these, her crochet work and her large fur cape.
only
he would go away ! Suddenly he rose and It was quite a mine of wealth.
'
Now, there is our dear good Frue,' said
went with a curt ' Gopd-night'
granny, when Else showed herself again in the
cell corridor. She sat in her usual place, clean
and smiling, and chatted about her son-in-law,
and his fondness for cabbage soup.
'
Oh, thank you, thank you,' she exclaimed /
look after, but it was certainly not who couldn't
with glee, when Else gave her a cup with half leave the men in peace. It was rather they
of her coffee. . She clutched her warm cup with who— Listen,' her face suddenly lit up with a
both her hands, then looked round suspiciously, horrible smile, and her voice became low and
and bending towards Else, as if to hide herself, eager.
drank off the coffee. '
I once knew a Norwegian, and he was my
'
Thank |you,' she said again, giving back the real lover! Yes, you may believe me.' She
'
cup and kissing Else's hands, it tastes so good.' nodded and-laughed slightly, a harsh yet
'You shall have some coffee from me every sympathetic laugh.
day, granny.', '
Ah, well, it is all over now.' It was again
'
Sh — they all ask how old I am, and my son- the sorrowful voice, and she sighed deeply.
in-law — granny's face had an almost cunning
' '
Only to think that now I am lying here.' She
expression as if she did not wish the nurse who suddenly burst into tears and put her handker
had just then passed to hear that she had chief in her mouth, while her shoulders and
mentioned coffee. She evidently thought that chest heaved with her sobs.
coffee was the world's forbidden fruit Do ask Nurse Stenberg to allow me to get
'
'
We lived iso happily together, my husband up, Fru Kant I have been lying here for so
'
and I, at firs,t Else sat on the edge of the bed many days now.'
by Fru Syverts, whose white fingers were busily Else nodded.
folding her handkerchief which she held up 'They have also taken away my wedding
'
before her face, and she spoke with that sad, ring,' Fru Syverts added, drying her eyes. I no
expressive voice which Else remembered notic longer know whether I am married or not If
'
ing the first morning. But one can't help being only they would give me my wedding ring, then
good-looking> and men liking one, and every I could have something to amuse myself with.'
time we went out the men flocked round me and When Else left her she asked Nurse Stenberg
that seemed to my husband— Well, I suppose he if Fru Syverts might not have her ring.
couldn't stand it Besides, I had, toQ■ much to Nurse Stenberg looked dubious.
'
i
224 PROFESSOR HJERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 225
'
But why ? She misses it so.' her pulse. 'Let Fru Kant see the wound,
'
There are people who swallow their rings to Mariana.'
put an end to themselves, Fru Kant'" - -■" • Mariana, who still stood with her arm over
Else shuddered. She remembered her torn her face, twitching and twisting the upper part
handkerchief. of her body, hastily put her other hand behind
' '
But mayn't she get up then ? Else begged. her back.
'I have asked the assistant doctor, but he
'
It's quite healed,' said the nurse, drawing the
thought it was too soon.' hand towards her, "and showing Else the wrist
As Else turned away from Nurse Stenberg, where a dark swollen wound was visible.
'
she saw the young woman with the heavy head, Don't do that, don't do that,' whispered
hurry frightened behind a door. Mariana.
' '
You mustn't be afraid of me,' said Else, fol Now, Mariana must be good,' the nurse
lowing her. ; patted her thick, untidy hair, *
now, especially,
'
No, she likes Fru Kant,' the nurse remarked. when she is going in a few days to St Jorgen.'
'
Don't you, Mariana ?
'
. •« 'That is sure to come to nothing,' said
Mariana hid her deadly tired face behind her Mariana with a discontented grimace. ,
' '
uplifted arm, and smiled crossly, and against her , Does she wish to go ? Else asked.
'
will. ' Everything is wrong and bad,' she mut Yes, poor thing. She is glad of a change,
' she has been here so long.'
tered, and it will never be better.'
' ' ' Now, I'm
Yes,' said Else, but, now, you will soon be going to feed Fru Fog.' The
well.' nurse took a basin from a large smoking tray of
'
I
shall never be well ; I have now been in food, and went into the cell to Fru Fog.
hell for two days.' Else followed, and held the basin while the
'
She was locked into her cell, because she was nurse raised the pillow under the old mummy
a wicked girl, and wanted to hurt herself,' the like woman, who,,with her half-snuffed-out
nurse explained. '
She had got hold of a pair of look, glanced with helplessly questioning air
scissors, and had cut herself in the wrist near from one to the other.
'
Eat nicely, now,' said the nurse, and forced a Else went into the cell of the puerperal
who up in bed with her arms
spoonful of beef-tea and egg into the patient's maniac sat
mouth.' that's it' crossed behind her neck uttering prolonged

|
•
Oh, oh/ grunted Fru Fog, as, with an air of groans. 'Are you suffering pain anywhere?'
languid dislike and a hollow sound in her
throat, Else asked. The woman stopped and looked
at Else with suspicious and questioning look,
a
she swallowed the soup.
'
You know you must eat,' said Else, patting that seemed at the same time to ask for help.
her wan forehead. She loosened her arms from her neck, grasped
'Yes, hut I don't like it' The words came in Else's wrist, and placed her head on Else's
a whisper through the toothless gums, whilst

she shoulder. 'What that you are afraid
is
it
gazed at Else with a look that seemed
stunned of?'
with suffering.
'Yes, afraid,' said the patient She moved
^
'
Now, then, dear Fru Fog, that was nice,' the her head from Else's shoulder and looked at
'
nurse chattered while she gently continued
to her again with the same questioning look as
feed the ^patient who had more and more

diffi before. I'll tell you what'
She stopped and
'
culty in J swallowing. At last she spit it seemed to grope and struggle to find the word,
out
out through while she convulsively pressed Else's arm. It's
again, so that the beef-tea trickled
'
the drawn-in of her mouth. 'Well,
corners the child, the child. Do you know where the
.
then;' the nurse dried child is?'
it,
well.yoa must leave

Fru Fog's mouth and made her tidy. The 'Yes, the child going on famously,' Else
is
patient lifted her crooked, wizened hands
and answered, having heard so from the nurses.
Then her eyes closed 'It in another hospital.'
is
grasped 'Else's fingers.
'Isn't the child dead?'
'
wearily.
'
;
'Don't you think she will die soon?' Else No, not dead.'
is
it
'
asked when she and the nurse left the cell.
The patient stared into Else's face. Her look
One would think so, but these creatures are was now only helpless. A tear escaped from
*
so curiously tough.'
vx
228 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 22f)
one of her eyes — a big, slow tear, which she her tears. But my hope becomes weaker every
'
wiped away with her finger. day. He starts with the idea that am mad.
I
All his questions are made with the object of
In ,the. corridor outside her room Else met entrapping me.'
the countess, who was crying and wringing her 'You must be patient, countess,' said Nurse
hands. Raeder, who had come in. You must resign
'
•
I am almost in despair,' she said in her usual yourself to stay here for three weeks or so, then
'
quiet Fancy my children, my poor,
way. un some decision must be arrived at'
happy children have been put out to nurse with Stay here for three weeks the countess
'
!
some awful people who hate me and my boy's.' exclaimed, her face distorted with weeping.
' '
How do you know ? Else asked. But, my God must one resign oneself all at
'
!
•
Through Oh, my children !
the professor. once to being locked up in such place when
a
What are you thinking of your mother ? One one has nothing the matter with one, and has
of them was with me in the carriage when I committed no crime?' Again she was over
drove here and was torn away from me at the whelmed with weeping. She then returned to
door.' This, however, has been the heaviest her room, fell on her knees before the easy chair,
'
blow of all. Oh, my poor, poor boys I She and abandoned herself to prayer.
wept copjously but silently.
'
Yes, it must be terrible' for you,' said Else.
And, I am not allowed to write a letter, not
•
And no one may visit

to!
even send message.

is a
WI) at to become of me
'
me.
?
'Don'ti be in. such despair, dear countess,'

said Elsq, 'you, who are always so quiet This
cannot [last long. The professor must soon see
that yoji are not insane.'
Yes] so thought' The countess checked

'
I
.
^
! ri
:
he began after a moment's silence without look
ing at Else.
'Yes, thank you.'
Again a short pause.
One of his hands had made its way to the
table and he touched, first the box with the lip
CHAPTER XXIV salve, and then the perfume bottle.

' '
What is that? he asked kindly, still without
As on the day before, Else was in bed when the
looking at Else.
assistant came round.
Else told him what it was in her usual curt
'
I
have brought you something to read,' he
way.
said, and laid two small yellow books on
Yes — and these He took up one of the
' '
the ?
***
table by the bed.
yellow volumes.
'Thanks, that is kind of. you.'
Else took the '
The assistant doctor has lent me those.'
books. It was a subscription edition of Bertha '
Well, so now you have something to amuse
von Sutner's works and had the title, '
Souvenirs you.'
of the Past A mother to her daughter,' or Suddenly he rose and took hold of his coat
something of that sort 'And by the way I have a surprise
pocket
'Now, say whether we are not kind to
you,' for you this evening,' he said quietly, rising, and
the doctor smiled as he went.
all of a sudden there lay a letter on the table.
Soon after, Hieronimus came in wearing his '
Thank you,' said Else who had at once re
overcoat, his hat in his hand. He sat down by cognised Knut'shandwriting, and had become
the bed. It seemed to Else there was some hot with joy and emotion. She grasped the
thing shy in his manner this evening. He bent letter, but the next moment threw it aside ex
'
over the table and his looked fixed itself
on the claiming : —
two books. "V ' '
Why, it has been opened I
'
Now you have got the things you wanted,' Hieronimus was already gone.
232 HIERONIMUS
i
JPR<J)FESS0R
,
I PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 233
'
I
'
You've got a letter it seems.' Nurse Raeder me do whatever you wish, except read a letter
came in with Nurse Stenberg.
that he has opened,' she hastened to add.
'Yes, but I don't want it,' Else cried, Nurse Stenberg laid Else's head back on the
pushing the letter away with her fingers along pillow, then bade her good-night, kissing her on
the table. *Do you think that I will read a the cheek.
letter from my husband that the professor has 'You really ought to read the letter,' Nurse
opened ? Ugh
! torn it open with his little
thin Raeder persisted, when Nurse Stenberg had
midwife's fingers. Look how he has gashed it gone away.■'Yes, because it is torture to you
open.' not to do it' Her gay voice sounded serious
'
Now you are not good; said Nurse this evening.
Stenberg,
clasping her hands round Else's neck. 'The '
Only to think of such a man,' Else exclaimed,
-
professor opens all the patients' letters.' sitting up in bed. ' He has, of course, got my
'Don't be angry with me, Nurse Stenberg. husband to promise not to write anything that
You must not,' Else sobbed violently, and could excite me. That's good I, who am in
put !
her head on Nurse Stenberg's breast
this paradise ! but all the same, does he think
Nurse Stenberg let her cry. ' Read the that all human beings lie and cheat ? If he had
letter,
then,' she said gently
; 'you, who have been only opened it carefully and fastened it together
longing so terribly to hear from home ! ' again ! But he has torn it open only to annoy
'
No, I cannot, and I will' not What
can it me.'
contain, if it's only what the professor '
H-m, h-m, h-m.' It '
I am
may read. was Thorgren.
Take it away, Nurse Raeder, do take it still waiting for Fru Kant and the professor to
away.
I can't bear to look at if Nurse Raeder took fall into each other's arms, but I have, evidently,
the letter hesitatingly. Then with a shake of her head,
long to wait'
'
You are an obstinate person,' Nurse she said good-night, shaking Else by the hand.
Stenberg
said reprovingly. Nurse Raeder persisted in her coaxing At
'
No, 1 am not You, for instance, last Else consented to Nurse Raeder reading
can make
the letter and telling her the contents.
V PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 235
'Well, there is not much in it,' said Nurse so pleasant to talk to this evening. Good
Raeder, when she had finished reading it night'
'
No, of course there couldn't be.' The professor pleasant to. speak to And
!
'
Your husband writes that the little] one is she could really waste words on such man
I
doing well, arid that the more patient you are, Soon after, one of the assistants came and
the sooner you and he will meet again.' gave Else an injection of morphia for her tooth
'
Patient,' said Else with a bitter smile. ache. Then Nurse Bbhn appeared with the
Don't you want your letter ? '
'
chloral. -:■~-
.
'I
wouldn't touch it with one ringer. Do
what you like with but only take
it,
out of my
it
sight"'
:.
i
'May come in? My mind easier now,'
is
I
said the countess, coming up to Else's bed.

The professor came in and told me that that
'
was not true about the children. They had not

been sent away to those unkind people.'
But why did he say so, then Else asked.
'
'
suppose was to try me. ?
Do you see now
'
it
I
that God heard my prayer./ He faithful

is
Father to His children. Now a
shall also pray
I
so fervently for you that you may soon be

allowed to see your husband. This evening
can do so, sjtrqng in faith.' I
Thank you,' said Else, you are kind.'
'
'
And fancy; have got my Bible, too. am

'
almost happy this evening. Now shall read

a
I
chapter and. then go to bed. The professor was

"
'
i
i
I
PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 2S7
She has had bad night,' Else heard Nurse
'
a
Stenberg say; 'It pity that so noisy
is
is
it
a
here.'
But really so was the doctor's answer.
is
'
it
'
?
'
should think was. have even heard the
it
'
I
I
professor complain when he was showing some
; CHAPTER XXV one round. Ifs some fault in the building of

'j
the hospital, he says.'
The night had been very noisy and again Else In spite of the banging, which steadily con
had had a hard struggle with her tinued, Else fell into dose, and when she had had
fear and
a
despaif. Now it was morning, and the doctor breakfast in bed at eleven o'clock, she felt some-
.
was expected( She took one of the yellow volumes
'-•
• ■•
what better.
Else lay quietly in bed. Her head burned and tried to read.
and she felt as every inch of her body were All of light creaking steps
if
at once the sound
broken in pieces with fatigue. made look up, and at that very moment
her
These claps; of thunder seemed to shake the Hieronimus entered, attired in new clothes from
bed and made! her quiver with intolerable head to -foot with
elegant overcoat, shining
pain.
It
was as they were firing off cannons. brown He laid his hat
if
boots, and glossy gloves.

What of this frightful thunder
the cause on the table, placed the chair straight and sat
is
'
ing? she asked languidly of Nurse Stenberg.

'
down.
It
the street door below.'

is
Well, now you have got your garters,' he

'
'
!No, Tknow that sound. But that— listen began in low soothing voice. They are
'
a
'
!
Again the crash was .heard. vetoed here, you know
'
?
Yes, the street door. Do you want them back Else answered in
'
is
it
It's the storm
'
'
'
?
!
When the doctor arrived, Else pretended to cutting tones.

be asleep. She hadn't strength to open her — Hieronimus
o,'
said with
N
deprecatory
'
a
mouth. of the hand, and after
'
wave short pause. But
'
a
i
■
v.
■■U
J
■
it
you must giye me a definite

promise not to put myself. That's why you've got me here, isn't
them to an improper use.' '
it ? She spoke with cold irony.
Hieronimus sat bending a little over A sort of shock
went through Hieronimus
the bed
and looking 'down. He rested his gloved hands as if he were going to flare up, but he collected
on his knees; his
fingers slightly spread out himself and after a slight pause said with imper
'Something must be done to that turbable placidity '
You've had these ideas
door! 'he :
called out
suddenly, starting nervously and turn before. Such thoughts arise when one's mind is
ing his head towards the
corridor. The slam unbalanced■ "and one feels tortured and un
ming had sounded twice
while he had been happy.' Again he moved on the chair and
sitting there..! '
paused for a moment But surely you were not
Nurse Stehberg appeared on
the threshold really in earnest You will — '
and was going to say
something, but Hieronimus Else moved suddenly on the pillow. '
Well, I
made a •warhing
movement of the hand He don't wish to talk with you about it,' she
then resumed his former
attitude and said in the said curtly and evasively, and trembling from
same low '
soojthing voice, and with slight motions mortification. It seems to me there has been
of the body as if he were
making an effort to enough of this acting, which would be comedy if
pronounce the words as
gently as possible : ' Do it were not so tragic. My husband can really
you remember what took
'
place the first even not afford to pay four crowns a day to have
ing?
;.'j): me martyrised in this place.'
'Are you! going back to that
Comedy — tragedy I Hieronimus had sat up,
' '
again?' Else
broke out angrily. ' Do you
think then that my and his voice was as usual quick and sharp.
explanation was a lie ? ' '
It seems to me comedy rather than tragedy.'
'Well, since then .you've "
settled down more Suddenly he started up from his chair, flew to
peacefully/ Hieronimus continued. '
On that oc the dopr and called out in a thundering voice :
casion you spoke about '
inhuman treatment' Is Fru Kant always such a difficult patient ;
'Inhuman! sufferings,' Else Is she not attended
corrected him doesn't she take her food ?
'and I stick to it 1 But I was to learn to control to?'
240 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 2*1
i:
'
She is always amiable towards us,' answered 'Well, God alone knows how this will end,'
Nurse Stenberg, whom Else could not see ; ' she said Nurse Stenberg as she went
was a little excited last night because the letter '
Now you are not my Frue any more.'
had been opened, but since —
'
Thorgren shook her head solemnly.
You wanted to make me smile ! Well, I am
'
Does she imagine that it's on our account '
that she is here?' Hieronimus went on in the smiling now.'

'
same loud voice half turning to the bed. W,e
had rather be rid of the business; we should
prefer to shut up the shop and take a holiday.
But you may as well know'— and stepping
towards Else, he slapped his left arm with the
fingersof his right hand — 'your husband may
take you away when he pleases ; but he is not
to come and see you.' He snatched up his hat
from the table and was off.
'
But, my God ! Fru Kant'
Nurse Stenberg
came in clasping her hands, and Nurse Raeder.
'
What can you have said to put him in such a
rage?' i I
'
quite scared, Fru
I'm Kant' Thorgren's
'
cheeks were almost white. I heard him out in
the cell corridor.' ,
'
The countess too was there. Have you told
'
the professor the truth ? Then they all stood
in front of the bed with scared faces.
Else looked half frightened from the one to

the other and then began to smile.
:.f- internal consciousness in two. It was as if two

pictures became distinct in his mind— Hieroni
mus, in his shirt sleeves, devoid of his stiff
dignity, going round with his students, and—
his wife raving mad.
Hieronimus walked a few quick paces on the
•
floor.
CHAPTER XXVI .
'She is very~much embittered against you.

'BUT what then is her condition, really?' It For instance, she pushed your letter off the
was Knut who asked. He was sitting as he had table. She would not read it'
so often sat in the professor's reception-room at Knut looked in astonishment at the professor.
the hospital! 'lam used only to variations in Else's condition became more and more of a
my wife's condition. There was always peace painful puzzle to him. He had, it was true,
after an outbreak except when, as on the last given the letter to the professor without closing
it,
occasion, there was a constant tendency to over and had therefore neither the power or the
strain of the nerves, and even then — ' He paused. wish to write anything but ordinary phrases.
'
Why does the man say nothing ? ' Knut But, of course, the professor had closed the
thought ' Why can't he once for all show me that letter before giving to Else. Then
it
was
it
he has his own opinion about' the patient, which really better after all that Else had not read
it,
'
would make my talk superfluous.! And here, since she would start with the
assumption that
at the hospital,' Knut went on, 'here in this he had sent without any intervention from
it
a
peaceful place where everything is arranged to third person. But her bitterness towards him,
spare the nerves of the patients —' what could have caused that
?
'
Your wife is raving mad,' Hieronimus an suppose, then, still your opinion that
'
it
is
I
swered, as he rose from his chair. it's not advisable for me to visit my wife.'
The phrase cut like a blunt weapon into Certainly.'
'
Knut's consciousness, and seemed to split his And visit from Dr Tvede—
'
'
.
• : i
i
244 PROFESSOR HIERON1MUS I
'
Urinecessary.'
The audience was over.
Did the authorities at the hospital really
■
understand the different natures they had under
their treatment? I
Yet every oneisaid that Hieronimus was a
physician and the most

careful and humane CHAPTER XXVII
distinguished specialist in mental diseases.
How strange these things appeared to the BeforE dinner Else went to have a bath,
uninitiated ! followed by Nurse Raeder. The bathroom,
^% . which was downstairs, close to the men's wards,
was a large dark room, with a stone floor and
'
: an uninviting zinc bath. The whole place sug
gested a cellar. Afterwards Else must go to
bed so as not to catch cold, she was told, and her
■
dinner was brought to her there.
I In the afternoon when the gas was lit, Else
-
sat and worked at her crochet with granny and
/ Mariana, who went about with her usual swing
ing gait, uttering groans and deep sighs. She
was more nervous than usual, for to-morrow she
was going off to St Jorgen.
Nurse Stenberg came in from the quiet ward.
I '
Bella Holm is expected,' she said to Thorgren,
who had been in to look after Fru Fog.
'
Well, have things gone wrong again with
her?'
"I
846 PROCESSOR HIERONIMUS i ■"
i PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 247
Else was going to ask who Bella Holm was, had occupied
it,
and the porters took Bella Holm,
but just at that moment there was a rattling in blankets and all, and carried her in.
the lock. THq folding-doors opened, and two Has she taken poison Else asked Nurse
'
'
?
porters came n, carrying a stretcher on which Stenberg.
•
a woman sat: erect, picking and grabbing Well, one might call that She has delirium
'
the
it
bedclothes. tremens!
] })
'There she comes already,' said Nurse Sten- Will she die, do you think
'
'
?
berg.
'
Dear Hie how ill she looks. It's a bad Oh, dear no I- In three or four days she will
'
!
attack this time.' be all right again.'

I am — I am only
'
am only asking where I ' When the porters had gone, Else went to the
n
asking' The; creature lifted her head and took cell door and looked in. Bella Holm sat up as
hold of the arm of one of the porters. I don't before, eagerly examining the coverlet, while she
understand it at all, and f
said the same to Fru chattered on in her gentle, refined voice. .
Lund when they wanted to move my wash-hand Haven't you got drop of beer, you there
'
'
a
?
stand.' she said, suddenly looking up.
Else who had got near the ambulance drew She asking for beer, Nurse Thorgren
•'
is
!•'
back with a start. She had seen a face as round Yes, does she think that am going to give
'
I
,
as a ball, so swollen that the eyes were scarcely her beer?' Thorgren stood in front of Bella
visible. One cheek was blue, and had a gaping Holm's bed. You lie down you won't get
'
;
cut which was bleeding. That face, with such a any beer, anyhow.' Thorgren took her by the
gentle cultured, voice I shoulders and pushed her down on the pillows.
'Just you still and look after your little Not even small beer
'
'
:>it
?
insects,' said the porter whose arm Bella Holm If you want milk you can have
it,
nothing
'
had grasped. J else.'
The ambulance was put down outside the end What she's looking for Else asked.
it
'
is
'
?
cell which had stood empty since the suicide Flies, and all sorts of insects. Patients with
'
delirium tremens always do that,'
Wl
.

n
'Yes, poor thing.' Nurse Stenberg finished the door.

'
Now I've got my ring. Look ! '
later answering Else's eager questions about. Fru Syverts rubbed the ring with her hand
Bella Holm■ , ' She comes of a good family.
kerchief and showed her right hand. ' It wasn't
Her father was a curate, I believe. He was an Carl who had taken it back. Nurse Stenberg
inveterate gambler, and when he had gambled it They have also told me that as soon as
had
away everything, even the bedclothes, he shot I get up I may write to my husband. But
himself dead. And there was also something again in the night the doctors were in here.
the matter wjth the mother.'
I don't know- what you will think,' these last
'
But why do you treat her so coldly ? ' Else words were in a and Fru
spoken whisper,
asked shuddering. 'You don't show her the Syverts shook with suppressed yet grating
slightest pity.' laughter.
' '
Well, one can't help despising such a person.
When first she came I spoke up for her, but I
don't do so, any more.'
Else went in and said good■night to granny,
who always went to bed at six. Sweet old
granny, the only happy peaceful, soul in this
hell. As usual when Else was in there after
granny had gone to bed, she drew Else close to
her, put her arms round her neck, and confided
to her her little ever-recurring delusions.
•
Yes,' said Else, '
but now I must go. Good
night, granny.',
'
Good-night' Granny as usual kissed Else's
'
two hands. To-morrow I shall have a drop of •
coffee again. It's so comforting.'

'
Fru Kant,' Fru Syverts called as Else passed
'
•il
Yes, have always been speaking about that,'
'
I
said Nurse Bohn. Fru Kant has rubbed the
'
professor up the wrong way.'
But have told you that impossible to
is
it
'
I
speak to that man Else shouted.
'
I
Well, write then. Would that be easier
'
'
?
Else shook her head.
CHAPTER XXVIII
It's all the same to us,' continued Thorgren,
;
'
DURING the night Nurse Bohn frequently came 'but it's for your own sake. Well, at any rate,
into Else's room. Bella Holm in the next we are good friends again, aren't we
'
?
cell had had convulsions. She screamed and Else put out her hand, smiling.
shrieked, and in between came the sounds of When you write, you can say what you like,'
'
heavy falls and noise" like a hiccough. . Nurse Bohn continued, when Thorgren had
a
Is she very troublesome Thorgren's voice and then you need not lose your temper.
'
gone,
'
'
was heard in the doorway. You should only see how amiable the professor
Yes, she bad,' answered Nurse Bohn, who can be.'
is
'
was standing by Else's bed. Should she try Else wondered as she lay
it
?
She keeps constantly imagining she jump on her pillow, listening to Bella Holm, who went
is
'
ing into the water,' said Thorgren coming closer. on pretending to jump into the sea. Try to ex
" Hsh — sh." she says.' Thorgren placed the plain to him what awful suffering was to her
it
'
palms of her hands together and raised them to be here, and ask him to let her go. Since
above her head, bending her body forward. that time in that cell, she had not complained to
"
Hsh — sh," she says, jumping down on to the him. Perhaps he thought that she was, com
.
floor, with a bound, and beginning to hiccough. paratively speaking, contented.

But there, came to make my peace with Fru Next morning, Nurse Stenberg and Nurse
I
Kant, and once more entreat her to ask the pro Raeder both told her that she really ought to
fessor's pafdon.' write to the professor.
After breakfast, Else asked for writing the bottom of cauldron which they were trying
a
materials, and,i lying on her side in bed — she to polish.
felt too exhausted to get up — supported on her Else came closer. In pail on the floor lay
a
a
left elbow, and leaning with her chest on the mass of long hair.
table, she wrote a letter to the professor, which Have you cut off her hair Else asked.
'
'
?
began thus — 'We were obliged to do so, swarmed so.
it
:
.;.
DEar Professor,— am at present in such But now ithe live stock will get what they
'
a
I
state of suffering and exhaustion, that almost deserve. Ohp the smell of that,' said Nurse
is
it
impossible for rhe to express by word of mouth Suenson, pouring something from a bottle into
what have on, my mind — She then went on the basin on the table. It would kill an ox.'
'
'
I
to describe her condition, not as really was, Nurse Suenson sneezed.
it
but as she thpught the professor could bear Bella Holm, whom Madonna Hansen was
hearing described, without getting into rage. holding by the neck and shoulders, sat restlessly
it
a
She mentioned her continual sleeplessness, and waving her arms about, and her closed hands
the impossibility of getting any sleep in such glided through the air as she were trying to
if
a
place, the noise the patients made, the many catch something.
sounds, etc. Finally, she begged that her Surely you can let me catch my canary bird,'
'
J
husband should be informed of her earnest wish . she said in such tone as friends may use in
a
to get away from the hospital jts soon as possible.
»
bantering one another. See, there goes.'
it
'
When the letter was ready, Nurse Stenberg Else remained standing looking on. Bella
took and went with at once to the professor. Holm fought and caught and chattered about
it
it
Afterwards, Else dressed herself and went out birds and white chickens.
into the cell corridor, where she became aware of Thaf it,' said Nurse Suenson, going out
s
'
pungent smejl. It came from the cell where with the basin and pail, am going to change her
'
a
I
Nurse Suenson and Madonna Hansen, chatting foot It will be over in
■
clothes from head to
a
and laughing, were busy washing Bella Holm's moment' if.
head. They, scrubbed away at were Madonna Hansen took away the blankets
if
as
it
it
i*1
254 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS I PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 255
from the bed, and drew down Bella Holm's of the others. I am standing here looking after
chemise. Else pair of thin, dark-coloured
saw a my husband. I can't understand why he doesn't
-
legs with skinny knees and flat knotty feet come.
'Come along, let's be off,' said Madonna 'Now you have got permission to get up.
Hansen. But before she and Else had reached Are you glad ? '
the door, Bella Holme jumped out of bed and 'Yes, but I feel cold in this thin skirt Is it
went along the wall, pursuing the canary. reallytrue that it is you who are married to
Madonna Hansen shut and locked the cell door, Herr Kant?'—*"-"
and Else went along the corridor. 'Yes.'
'
In Fru Fog's cell a man sat on a chair in He looks as if he would have quite a different
front of the bed. He held his hat in his hand kind of wife. Yes, I know him.' Fru Syverts
and looked at the yellow expressionless mummy nodded in a lively fashion.
' '
face with a look full of sadness and love. What kind of a wife, then ?
'That is her son,' whispered Madonna 'A fair little willowy person with her hair
Hansen. ,•'■
'
knotted on her neck, and with velvet ribbons in
'But you told me that no visitors were it Now, I am going to write to my husband.'
'
allowed here.' Then ask him to send you a warmer skirt,'
' said Else, going out to the cell corridor, where
No. But there are always exceptions in
life. He was sent for.' / she paced up and down. The man at Fru
'
Is she going to die ? Fog's bed still sat in the same position, and
'Yes, she hasn't very long to live now.' the mummy face appeared devoid of life.
Else wen'tjin'to see Fru Syverts and was sur A little later Else went in to granny, who had
prised to find her standing at the window in a bronchitis and had to keep her bed.
blue and white cotton dress. Her long brown 'Yes, now, you they have gone and put
see
plait was hanging down her back. me' to bed,' said granny, smiling and nodding.
'
'
Oh, is that you, Fru Kant ? she said when 'But that won't kill me. I was born on the
Else touched her arm.
'
I thought it was one 17th of February. How long is that ago?'
srasscisussifns
'
Well, that depends on what year it was,' said Well, well, now be good and lie down.'
f.
'
Else. Shall you come back again soon
*
!
'
i
?
'No, that hasn't so much to do with for
it,
'Yes, to-night' a"\ */■:;,Y:"i -■■■' ',..i•
f.
:
■;■:' ./:.,
last year was good one for cabbages. But When Else had left that cell, she looked into
a
ought one not to be glad and thankful to God Fru Fog's. The stranger sat in the same
for being in such a nice clean place?' attitude as before, but suddenly he rose silently,
As Else on her way down the corridor passed placed his hat on the floor, knelt On his knees
the puerperal maniac's cell, the patient who with his hand. before his eyes, and bowed his
was sitting up in bed beckoned to her. Else face down into the white bedclothes.
went in.
'The child,' she said, grasping Else's hands
convulsively. •n. A f) -a■
.
••
/
The child all right told you so before.'
is
'
I
Well, had much rather was dead.'
it
'
There, now you are talking nonsense. Surely

'
you would like your sweet little child to live.'

The patient kept looking at Else, and hard,
a
angry expression appeared on her face.
'But we have had so many before, and the
clergyman, says that the Lord shall demand
every child's soul at our hands.'

Don't think of that,' said Else. Only try
'
'
to get better and everything will be well.'

'
*
But was this cauldron,' whispered the

it
'
patient, this large, black cauldron. So many

'
children's heads peeped up and Knussen had

no money.'
■wv
I - y 'f:e-ii «Vi<ti'- • >
'
r
I '
one's own business,' she continued, turning to
'
Else. What does it matter to others how many
■#
■
drops I drink at my meals ? I
never drink
vS£ except at my meals and then it does no harm,
and it seems to me very strange that Fru Lund
should wish to move my washstand.'
' ' '
Did she move your washstand ? Else asked.
CHAPTER XXIX '
Yes, can't" you see, there is no wash-hand-
'
WHEN the assistant doctor was making his stand here?' Bella Holm glanced round her.
' Oh, She
evening round, Else asked for a few more yellow I'm not blind. see there is the canary.'
volumes. ■ - ran to the window.
'
I must not The professor won't let me.' '
Get back to your bed,' ordered the nurse
' '
Is he afraid ? Else laughed. who entered.
'
The professor wishes you to be a little more Yes, yes, yes, I am going to bed,' replied Bella
'
''
amiable.' ... Holm, in a tone which implied mild reproach of
'
Well, I can understand that I would wish the nurse's impatience.
that too, if I were the professor.' '
One can hear at once that she is an educated
/ ,
Next morning it was later than usual before person,' said the nurse.
the doctors made their round. Else, who had Else went in to see Fru Syverts who sat up in
been sitting crocheting at the window, put by bed combing her hair. Granny stood bent over
her work, and went into the cell corridor. her, chattering and whispering. Else fetched a
'
I answered that I
would not mix myself up chair from the corridor for granny.
in Fru Lund's affairs,' said Bella Holm, stopping '
How like you are to my Norwegian,' said Fru
in her hunt along the long wall when Else Syverts to Else with a gay smile, while she re
looked in. She was in her chemise and short moved the loose hair from the comb, carefully
jacket, and her face was still more black and collecting it and hiding it in a piece of newspaper.
swollen than before. 'No, one ought' to mind •
I noticed it the very first morning.' She wiped
i
'
v.- . v l"i'■ rl 'i#>-4IJ.''*.:.-V :;■.'
260 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS r t PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 261
and laid
it,
the comb on the paper, blew on
it
mild and pleasant his expression could be.
on the t^hle. If only had some watertowash
'
She was stunned, almost confounded just
I
as when,
with now,' she said, looking in disgust at her on"an early spring day when walking through
a
'
■••:WYr> Y■Yl'; -'^fingers.
'
'■■'■;
■!.:*%.'•;* wood, one suddenly smells spring in the air.
;'
",
If
•
'I was looking for you in your room.' There should like to speak with you, Fru Kant,'
.
'
I
stood the countess in her black lace-trimmed he said with an almost smile, and
imperceptible
Lj
'
Y
'
'
'■:,.'.•'■ •
left the cell quickly Else followed him, thinking
"
dress.,]
;.
:
Wljiat does she want here Fru Syverts ex-
?'
of Thorgreh's~ prophecy about the stars falling.
'
_ claimed'! pointing to the countess. An object,
'
;',
had your letter,' when he was rested in her
'
I
:
:
YiY.;
■
like that!
!'
room, and have read carefully, and not only
'
it
We pre all sisters before God,' said the coun
'
that, but have, as you asked me, placed
it
I
tess in a quiet, gentle voice, putting her hand on before your husband and your doctor. Now
Fru Sy verts' shoulder. '
I pray to Jesus for you. we shall hear what they say.'
_
Do youj Jesus 'i'-..
1*now .'Thank you,' said Else with look that ex
?
■;
a
':■'.'''•' should think so. have both been baptised even more gratitude than her words.
I
pressed
I
and confirmed,' said Fru Syverts. 'But you So you will probably hear from your husband
'
6
/
■V musn't touch me for my fingers are greasy.' at the first opportunity.'
»
■f.AH,ryes, Jesus, Jesus,' murmured granny, Else thanked him again.
•
?
shaking iher little night-capped head. Would you really not care to see your
'
i
'Wejl, here's quite an assembly.' Else and doctor There no reason why you shouldn't
is
?
the cotintess turned with start Hieronimus him.'
a
see
wasi standing in the cell in his long white coat
l Else didn't answer immediately. It was Knut
Thei light from the clear February sun which she wanted to see. She didn't care for anything
peeped^ in through the window fell straight on else.
to his face, and Else was astonished at the clear You have faith in htm,' the professor asked.
'
blue colour of his She, who had believed
•
eyes. 'Yes, he has been my doctor for ten years,

that hii eyes were blue and watery. And how but I have no special desire to see him.'
j
■
;
V
i
f
-./
jij
i■V- 262 PROFESSOR. HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 263
Really You take an interest in the patients, as the ground beneath her had
'
if
given way.
?
:■':
■'
notice.' What was to be done? Nothing. She was in
■-■.--•
.
I ■
• ■
'
.
*?*' &ranny such his power. .'•;/ -i_.:■
'
is
good creature.'_
'
• ■:■■-• .
a
'-.(
T'-'fc *
•
1- ".
Weji,' good-morning.' Yes,' she said and got up. When you and
,■
'
■
'
'
■. .
Else full of hope and expectation.

was my husband and Dr Tvede say that am out of
I
J
Hieronimus had placed the letter before Knut and my mind, then must be so.' She paced up
I
Tvede.il There was no doubt as to what would and down. 'Well, then, have been mad all
I
happen^ That very day Knut would come and my lifeJ__rr-
fetch! her. He was then the kind of man he Perhaps you have.'
'
i
ought to be, this Hieronimus. But his previous 'Perhaps you, too, have been so,' Else mur
behaviour? Well, she didn't understand mured quietly to herself who knows
it,
'
so
'
?
;
she vyoiild think no more about it 'Amongst most human beings one can find
Bujtboth that^day and the next passed, and. which, need be, may be regarded
if
something,
f
Else's expectations were not fulfilled. Slowly as madness,' she said aloud, looking at Hier
it
her that she had again been. mistaken.
■
-
dawnedj on, onimus.
On evening, of the third day when Hier during the past few days, made
have,
'
I
^he
onimus^
in the course of his round, had been myself acquainted with your productions. That
sitting jdown for while, she said suddenly So interest in the abnormal, seen in your pictures,
is
a
'
:
my
husband ajid Dr Tvede have followed your not attractive.'
advice and decided that am to stay here Interest for the abnormal,' thought Else. Was
'
'
'
I
Yesj the word came with deliberate not then an interest in the abnormal which had
'
self-
it
i
satisfaction. given the professor his authority and had placed

Elsej! reflected little, then said: 'It's your him in the position that he occupied
'
a
?
opinipn then that' am out of my mind Your pictures seem to me an absolute proof
'
'
I
'Vies,' that you are abnormal. Yes, start from the
I
Trjis' Yes uttered in this merciless complacent that you have tried your works to
'
in
assumption
way aciied like the cut of whip while seemed give picture of your own mental life.' Else did
it
a
a
•
!
f
MIM,
!S
'
■ ■''•'•':■£ ■'.'>'■'-
•■'.
;-.■■■'.'■::.
- L -'■ V.', --7 •>--•-
'-
lis
+
■;.'■ •■■.
)!]
•- ■
:i(;
pOFESSOR HIERONIMUS
|;g
-. 5:64
■.«:* PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 265
{^
:not reply, she only looked at him. V'And this
The words were spoken mildly and with lofty
a
■persistent sleeplessness:
■'":
-v-v. that also sign of
is
dignity. :\'/A _■■■;''"/■
a
mental derangement' '
■
^
:.4v^.
.■-:**■■-, Else said nothing. It was the most difficult
■■;'■;;■ Has not my husband asked to see me?
of her life.-'.
'
f
moment
' No, he has not said anything about it'
Consider,' said Hieronimus, rising and going
>
:
'
. This felt Hke
knife cutting to Else's
,_
of the room where he took up
;';
a
answer to the corner
a
heart Again she paced up and down, but
had position with his plbow against the wall, and his
to sit down again because her knees
'You have been in the
;.;
trembled hand under -his~chin.

•
':.so.
habit of throwing yourself naked on the floor
;
■■ 'I don't understand,'
■.
she said at last, wiping writhing and howling.'

the perspiration from her forehead. He told
.^
Never,' said Else would have
i. It
naked
:'
'
'.
'
!
;
me that should be here eight or ten
days.'
I
been impossible for me to do that'

:^,"
\
,
'H-m.'
;;
;■;■;>
Well, then, must have been with your
;
it
'
Again this
which put her in the position
hum
'
'
clothes on.' "•■._"■■' -.',':,

of liar.
;jBut now she took no notice rof it Knut had
a
Knut had not wished to see her
!
.
Her thoughts centred like burning flames round
not wished to see her voice within her seemed
a
!
■
.,s
'<
Vthis one fact that Knut had not wished to see What was everything compared to
to shriek.
'.her.
That' the last thing one has recourse to,
!i
this
i
:
'
'I
s
?
don't understand it,' she went on. 'Has
to send one's wife to place like this,' the
a
anything happened while have been away, assistant doctor had told her. Was possible
it
I
something that don't know about

that Knut had deceived her and proved false to
'
I
No, but now when your husband has got

'
you her?
at distance, he can judge you quite calmly and
a
Altogether you have behaved in such way
a
'
impartially.' that there can be no doubt as to your condition.'
Is he vexed with me then?'
'
was despair because could not get on with
It
'
I
•Vexed— do you mean angry? One not my work.'
is
angry with those for whom one feels compassion.'

-*•'■
■
■
■
"
-
'!*
' impossible
You don't know that,' Hieronimus continued, do the same with me, although
is
it
'because afterwards you were not able to re to think so.' She paced about little with
a
arms and then passed in front of
member it' Else,
'-''■■': :.V-\ crossed
'
Yes, I was but But didn't you insist that he should
it,
able to remember have, for saying,
'
I
the time being, pretended that didn't, because explain to you in what your madness consisted?'
•
I
was so painful to me.' shook her head. It does not interest
'
Else
it
Well, that's just what Besides, what

have been telling me to hear that man's opinions.
'
I
\
your husband,' Hieronimus broke out triumph he said was quite enough for me.'
said, but
'
It incredible,' the countess
I
antly.
is
'
Shall have to stay here long shall ask him to-morrow.'
'
'
?
Yes, very long.' •You shouldn't do that,' said Else.' 'If you
'
There was again

that complacent tone in follow my advice you will not ask anything
Hieronimus' voice that made Else place him in about yourself. It's wasting words, so far as
the same class with an executioner who delights am concerned. 'He must have at once made
I
was mad, and was M
in his task. his mind that
I
up
I
Can't be taken to some other place came here. With little will one can
'
a
when
'
?
I
I
Yes, to St Jorgen,' was the ironical answer. make out to be madness.'
it
easily
'
said the countess.
•
Hieronimus went off. 'Your calm unnatural,'
is
' madness.' Else
The professor stayed long time with you •It's nonsense, this about
•
.
But that my husband
*
this evening.'■ shook her head helplessly.
Else, who sat with her face hidden in her hands, shobld not wish to see me
'
I
,
into my room, and I'll read you
a
raised her head and nodded to the countess. 'Come
Was he pleasant to talk to from the Bible.' The countess took
'
'
.:■; chapter
?
Else repeated the professor's and her own con Else rose listlessly and followed
Else's hand.
versation. her.
But, my God the countess exclaimed
in
•
'
!
terror, he makes you out to be mad, he may

if
'
1
, ■;
- "■■■
^ >-i^j^:^^v-' -
!'

,ii
■ ':'-V•'
"■■..■■-?" believed that she had reached the very climax
v '■
•:«)>? si'ft' ■■■ of suffering, yet, now for the first time, she had
•i- ,■'■. ..i
r/' ,i - .■■■- reached it
And Tage, the child, the boy there at home,
W J: what would become of him ?
So she, too, was to be sent to St Jorgen.
She remembered how once she had shuddered
*"-■ 'T !| : n- CHAPTER XXX
that time■in the cell] when Nurse Stenberg had
The night that followed seemed to Else the told her about a patient who was going to St
most horribleof all these horrible nights. It Jorgen.
o was not on account of the senseless fear Well, after all, if she had to be locked up,- she
.- which
before had driven her almost to madness. would rather be in any place but this, where
The'
'
raving of the lunatics, and Bella Holm's nois% Hieronimus was in command — this Hieronimus,
and chattering in the next cell, now this strange man. Yes, it must be that his
seemed to
• her a matter of course. Nor yet Not
was it because position had turned his head. a single
Hieronimus : had pronounced her out of her question had he asked about her state of mind.
mind. What did that matter? She was not Not a word about the sensations in the back of
y mad, and would never be so.

not: given way during her
Hieronimus'
If her
presence
reason had
in this
her neck; how the overwhelming influence, the
continual anxiety and despair had affected her ;
cell, though she had come in how the sleeplessness had almost put an end to
■is in such a miserable state of mind, what then her altogether— of all that, he had not the re
■ could have possibly driven her mad? But it motest suspicion. Just like an old-fashioned
was that Knut did not wish to see her,- that in schoolmaster who tries to subdue the mutinous
order to get rid of her he had deceived and rebelliouspupils by dint of beating and
and
. enticed her to come here of her own accord. rough treatment, that was how he treated her.
Surely that had not been necessary. She felt And yet he imagined that he knew what he
as if her soul were on the rack. She had always was about. He dared to say quite shortly and
>,■ -
.* —
I
*
■ -* >• ■'-■■■£ -
'-.
■
-5-W-. •.«•-it-.-'' ■:,
' •A
::;h;
-4r ,■ ■■-.■
■
V;, »*' >»
::
i
.!■)
270 PItOFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 271
decisively You are insane and must be shut ought to be sent to St Jorgen, but also Dr
'
:
up in St Jorgen.' And this with pleased and Tvede and your husband. have given orders
I
greedy expression, just as he were swallowing that Dr Tvede to be allowed to see you as
if
is
some delicacy. soon as he comes. And then you ought to go
Goodness knows whether all this was not down for walk in the garden to get used to
a
meant to hide an attempt to excite her to the air. At St Jorgen you have to go out every
a
paroxysm which might be urged as further day.'
a
proof of her insanity, for the proofs that he 'Come along,' said the countess to Else in the
already had must even to him appear vague afternoon. She had on her outdoor clothes
:
in her work she had shown an interest in the ready for walk.
One owes something to
'
a
abnormal she was said to have thrown herself one's physical health even in place like this.'
a
;
on the floor despair, and she could not sleep Else, whp had often before been invited to go
in
'
p-
in this place,
■'.
for walk, went this time to please the countess.
^
•
a
'WeHi'tyei'. there was no help for it Hier- When she returned twenty minutes later, she
onimus wa3 nut she could not -crack. He had made up her mind that would be the last as
it
a
his theories, she supposed, on which he acted well as the first walk up and
time she would
Poor rfieronimus one day or other he would be down on this bit of ground surrounded by high
!
found
bifti But Knut, that Knut did not wish walls which they call garden, with two paths
a
to see her If only she could get away from between the bare trees, followed and guarded
!
this pla<ie soon. She would miss the nurses. like prisoner, and with the windows of the
a
They wh° had helped her to endure her troubles opposite houses "glaring down at her. No, that
from tirn,e to time. But only fancy being ri<J of was an extra drop in this cup of bitterness that
the sight oPHieronimus she had to drink daily.
!
Next morning when Else was going into the

shouldlike you to see your own doctor,' cell corridor, she saw stranger between two of
'
a
I
said Hiejonimus the next day to Else. Then the white-coated students disappearing into one
'
you can hear not alone who think you of the cells. Else had only one thought, that of
is
it
fit■
Vvi
"
'■
m (it - _■,*"'
■■ -'■■'•J,'V *^
■&■{/?&
' V'
,i
p'
■Ji
•1 272 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 273
i
■'
hiding ibefore this stranger. She hastened back am doctor, as you may remember,' the
a
I
'
J.V *■ -
•■■■ M «>?■'- ■>■•••,
•
."■;
to her room.:: 1.^^/';:^'* ^::\îV:\::V man continued to smile, probably not knowing
Butjwhat was this Were they coming in any other way of showing his good will, and
?.
'
?
"
.
.'••••t■i5!r■•'•'■•
7-a:;-.- /. -■•-■
•••■
nearer, and,
She| heard unfamiliar steps coming
-■;■
-' that's why go about the hospitals.'
I
:V■v- ••;■•: ■'■■"
-;•
":•
the
drivenI by fear and suspicion, she fled to Oh, yes,' said Else, wishing she could sink
'
window, turning her back to the room. into the earth.
'. « i;-fi:.irf ,i>»". ■■■„■■:
friend who wants to ask how you And how are you getting on
'
frere
is
'
'
?
'
are/ said one of the students at the door. Oh, fairly well.' It seemed to Else that the
•;
'
Elsq remained standing. The blood rushed place she stood on was red hot
:.?::>v
to her heart She had to grasp the window-sill 'Well, things will right themselves. Mean
while, good-bye, Fru Kant' He shook hands.
.••'
It:I■, • •■ for support ~i.»}iZ--' /,.
;:..
\
:
Gopd-day, Fru Kant,' said strange voice am glad to have seen you.'
•
'
I
quite close tocher. There stood stout, dark- Glad to have seen you Else threw herself
a
-
'
'
!
;;-:•"■
am here look
i'
y haired man, smiling profusely, down on the arm-chair and began to cry.
'
I
'•''•-■
" How
ing over the place, and should like to say So you had visitor to-day said the
'
'
?
do: you do" to you at the same time. Don't assistant doctor when he came in the evening.
you remember me Else looked at him indignantly.
'
.
?
vr•'.
••'y
i'iNo,' Else stammered. 'Well, was done on purpose to give you
it
,;"■''.'■
'Of course you do.; am Anton Ringe whom pleasure.'

I
you used to meet at the Halms so often.' To give me pleasure. Yes, of course. Here
'
vYesi, now she knew him. You have altered
'
the reason for everything that's done
is
i7 given
?
■£ I:
■
very much,' she said in sheer embarrassment
A.
that will give me pleasure.

4
was not allowed

■
it
I
'.'•Of course that was ten or twelve years ago. to see my husband lest might injure me, but
it
That not' to be wondered at,' and read in this stranger whom have met in society when
is
EJse
I
his look. my circumstances were different — Her face
'
If you only knew how much you have
quivered with suppressed tears.
<
altered,' 'Well, that's very extraordinary, Fru Kant,'

I
'■
i
'r
274 -I.'iill PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 275
said the doctor gravely. '

But, as I told you, it in hospital dress, bending every moment to look
was done with the best intention.' for something on the floor. tell you that
'
a
I
'
With the best intention
'
If she were only crown piece lying there. Don't you see that
is
!
able to exterminate with cannon and gunpowder crown piece lying there she said to Else.
is
'
a
?
that bbjectionable phrase out of the vocabulary. 'When one crown piece lying floating
sees
a
The day after, Else was again having her about, surely one should pick up.'
it
bath. Nurse Bohn, who was on day duty instead She as bad as when she came,' Else re
is
'
of Nurse Stenberg, went with her. marked to the nurse.
'You have then only one bathroom for this 'Yes, because slept yet
she hasn't The
division,' said Else she dressed. 'And the attack lasting good while this time.'
is
as
a
patients |all bathe here whatever diseases they During the night, Else lay quiet and motion
have, and also the_criminals who are placed here less, hour after hour pondering and worrying
'
for observation ? ■ . . because Knut did not wish to see her. Her
•Yes.', : heart felt like an open wound. And Tage,
|
'And that woman, Conradi SchoHer, who sweet, pretty little Tage, would his heart also be
suffocated a boy, did she also have her bath turned away from her
?
'
here ? Did you come with her ? In the forenoon, when walking in the cell
,
Nurse Bohn nodded. corridor, Else went into the cell of Fru Fog, who
' lay with her eyes closed and her arms stretched
But didn't you find out then that she was a
man? stiffly outside the bed-cover.
.|,
No, because didn't look at her at all. When Surely it's impossible that she can be alive,'
'
'
saw her in bed, occurred to me once or twice thought Else, stooping to listen to her breathing.
it
I
that she looked, like man about the shoulders. Then Fru Fog opened her eyes and looked at
a
But who would have thought — Else with an eloquent glance. Else felt
'
cold
a
This will be the last time that shall have shiver through her.
go Who would have
'
a
I
bath here,' said Else to herself. imagined that this mummy could look like
"
In the cell corridor, Bella Holm went about that?
Fru Fog's lips moved slowly and her looks

seemed to implore. Her hands were raised and
made a fumbling effort to touch each other.
'
Yes,' said Else, and whispered in her ears :
'
Shall we pray together ? '
The eyes spoke assent
v
Else took Fru Fog's hands and helped to fold CHAPTER XXXI
them together. She folded her own and re '
IF you wish to see the body, you must come
peated the Lord's prayer, and the imploring now, Fru Kant' Nurse Suenson stood in the
eyes of the mummy face looked into Else's all
doorway, beckoning and whispering to Else,
the time. When the prayer was ended, Fru who rose and followed her into Fru Fog's cell,
Fog's hand* fell slowly together, while a shadow Nurse Suenson closing the door behind them.
of a smile quivered on the sunken mouth. Her The corpse lay on a bare mattress as the
breathing was almost inaudible. Else stood a
suicide's had done, wrapped in a sheet, which
while loptyipg at her. round the body, showing
was drawn closely
Ten rnfnutes later as Else was going back to and to Else it seemed as small
every contour,
her roonj, she again went in to see Fru Fog who as the body of a child.
lay as before. Her face was suffused with a
Nurse Suenson turned down the sheet, and
pale yellow tint which seemed to give out a
Else drew back, shuddering. Fru Fog's body
faint light was a perfect skeleton, covered with transparent
'
One might almost imagine she was dead.
greyish-yellow skin. The forehead and the head
'
She, is dead,' said Nurse Suenson.' were like a skull. The underjaw fell so that the
mouth stood open and the head rested on the
chest The bones of the shoulders and elbows
appeared unnaturally large, and the abdomen
was shrunk. Here and there on the chest, wide
blue lines were traced.
i
\
'What is that?' Else asked, pointing to the It was now eighteen days since she had left him
lines. at home.
'That's something that the doctors draw on If only the nurse, could be allowed to visit her,
'
the body, I
don't quite know why.' as Knut did not want to. Oh, Knut I Knut !
'
•
How a human being must suffer before she she went on crying.
can become so emaciated,' Else thought,
gazing Yes, she would write once more to the
at the fearful spectacle. professor, humble herself before him, as they
'Come along,' said Nurse 5uenson, :pulling advised, and ask permission to see the nurse.
' In the afternoon
back the sheets. They are coming now to take she got pen and ink and
her away. The cell is already wanted for a new wrote among other things, '
But even if I am
patient' insane I can't understand that you, who are in
Else went back to her room and sat thinking authority over me, can think it consistent to
about Fru Fog. This life which was now over, cause me so much pain and suffering. Only
what had it been like? To die in this place this deprivation of one's personal liberty is in
alone among strangers, without a friendly hand tolerable suffering, and then too, not to be
to close her eyes, and still she had a son who allowed to see or hear about the child.' Finally
had looked at her tenderly and sympathetically, she begged urgently the nurse may be allowed
and had knelt by her bed. Surely he would to come to her.
like to be with her in her last hours. But life Nurse Stenberg went at once with the letter,
did not concern itself with one's likes and and came back with the message that the pro
it,
desires. Perhaps she, too, would sometime lie fessor had got but he was going on journey
a
dying alone, and in a strange
place. And her the next day and would not return until the day
son, who would. perhaps be the only being left after.
to her on earth, might not be able to be with Else's heart sank at the thought of this delay.
her. Her son, sweet little Tage. She crouched But nothing could be done for that Now, at
together and wept tears of longing for her child. least, she had this hope to live on. She took
If only she could have got some news of him. her work and sat down at the window, but could
280 ij
ÔFESSOR HIERONIMUS j
not stand the crocheting because of the '

headache denly she clenched her hands and cried, Why
from which she constantly suffered.
The tooth can't you make an end of me at once, because
ache also continued more or less '
violently night that's what you want to do ; and breaking into
and day, and the morphia injections
were con sobs she turned to the wall.
tinued. She put away her work and sat
quietly She had written a letter to her husband
with her hands in her lap.
which had displeased the professor; it was so
Suddenly she heard loud talking and
crying incoherent ■'.
from the cell window and when she ' '
went out Poor thing"!'* said Else ; she seemed all
there, she found Nurse Stenberg
carrying off Fru right just now.'
Syverts, who was screaming and
'
struggling. The new patient for Fru Fog's cell had already
What do you think, Fru Kant ? Now
they arrived. Else went in to look at her.
are forcing me to bed again,' cried
Fru Syverts She was a woman of about forty with a plump,
when they had reached the cell. ' I
will not go, red face, heavy mouth, and dark-cropped hair,
I will not' She tore herself free and
stamped which stood out under the night-cap. On one
with her feet ' I shall go mad from
lying on of her temples was a large white scar. She lay
this bed of torture.'
with her eyes closed, apparently asleep.
Without saying a single word, Nurse
Stenberg Suddenly, with alynx-likemovement, she sat up
took hold of her, pressed her .down on
the bed in bed and stretched out her clenched skinny fist
and undid her things.
/ towards Else's face, giving vent at the same
Fru Syverts cried and scolded little, then a time to a torrent of coarse abuse. Else was so
became quiet, and glaring at the
nurse, helped to frightened that she flew backwards out of the
undress herself.
cell. Soon after she had peeped in inquisitvely,
'Why has she to go to bed again?' Else showing only her head through the door. The
asked.
'
woman lay quietly on the pillow, and seemed
It's the professor's orders.'
' again to be sleeping, but as suddenly as before,
How long am I to lie here now '
Fru Syverts
? she sat up in bed and shook her fist in Else's
murmured when she had been got to bed.
Sud- face, abusing her with the ugliest names.
:
:
; r
•That's a terrible creature,' said Else to
Nurse .
Stenberg,
' hurraing away from' the door.
Yes, her is Madame From,' said Nurse
najme ■
'
Stenberg. ■
'
Why, even the puerperal maniac was not
so
bad, not even; to speak of
granny.' Else had
been to see them both before
she returned to CHAPTER XXXII
her room.
Else paced up and down in her room restless
and expectant This evening Hieronimus would
make his round. Now she would hear what he
had to say to her letter. It was now four
o'clock. In three quarters of an hour he would
be here.
Oh, this heavy languid feeling. She sank
back in the chair fatigued, and lent back with
her hand over her eyes, and went off into a doze
- ■
from which she was soon awakened by the sound
of some one coming in.
Before her stood Hieronimus in overcoat and
gloves.
She rose quickly, trembling in every limb.
Hieronimus sat down on the sofa, and Else
resumed her former place.
'
I
You have written to me again,' began Hier
onimus in a displeased voice. ' You are using
too strong expressions.'
Else did not know if she had heard aright
w
», ■..■. : \
\
. 'I
She, who most noise, Fru Kant herself.' The words
is
taken care to use the mildest,
h<jd
pos
sible expressions. were spoken with sneer.
a
'You: talk about "pain and suffering," Else was breathing audibly. She was so as
and
being "deprived of liberty,"' tounded at Hieronimus' words.
It
was as
if
Hieronimus added
ironically. j You have more liberty than she would sink beneath the weight of this false
is good
*
for you.' J
» accusation. But suddenly the thought flashed
Else £oing to answer, but there stood Dr through her mind. He wants to incite you to
'
was.
Tvede iri middle of the room.
th<j an outbreak,. sQ■that Tvede can see that you are
'Ah, is your doctor,' Hieronimus insane,' and she answered quietly, but with
a
IN ex
here■
claimed. trembling voice —
'
:
Têde greeted the professor Except the first evening when cried and
'
first, then Else.
I
'How areUu getting on, Frue Kant implored, and was in such despair because
•
I
Tvede
'
?
asked, looking closely at didn't understand anything — She had to stop.
'
Else.
•
The words seemed to cleave to her tongue.
'
Thanks^ |jSaid Else. She could not get out

Her mouth quivered Well, you can have talk with the doctor.'
'
a
anymonj.
if
as she" were
j
on the pointijof crying. Hieronimus rose and left the room with his most
How about the sleep sprightly and dapper air.
'
'
?
Else shook her head. 'I can't sleep here.

Tvede came towards Else holding out both
Its so awfully noisy.' his hands: 'I
can see how you are suffering,'
It /
'That's' exaggeration. not noisy/ said he said.

is
Hieronimus crossly. Is really true that must go to St Jorgen,'
it
'
I
'And the make such Else asked as soon as she had recovered her
'[patients scenes,' Else
went on, looking fixedly at voice.
Tvede.
Yes, you'll like being there.'
*
Scenes iHieronimus exclaimed.

'
'
It
!
seems
'
to me 'So you and Knut agree with Hieronimus.

it
quiet here,' and he turned to

is
Tvede
for 'The one Have you such confidence in him then You
confirmation. who has made the
?
saw just now what he like.'
is
I"!
!
?hj
■jjl
:|
i
i
286 ; PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 287
'
As a physician I have confidence in him, as 'What letter?'
a man I don't know him.' The letter wrote to the professor, which he
'
I
' '
Whyjj won't Knut come to see me ? gave you and Knut to read.'
'
Tvede^s small eyes got bigger. He won't We have not seen any letter, neither nor
'
I
come and see you ! He can't get permission
your husband.'
fromth^j professor.' Are you sure of that
'
'
?
'
Is that really true '
Else gave
? a sigh of 'Yes, Fru Kant'
relief. '(You must not deceive me.' 'A fresh lie, 'then And still you wish to
!
'I assure you, Fru Kant, your husband leave me in this man's hands.'
has been in despair at not being allowed to No, we wish you to go to St Jdrgen.'
'
come and see you.' Why should be locked up among lunatics
'
'
?
I
'
Oh, thank God, thank God ! ' Else pressed Else asked. I've had enough of here. And
it
'
Tvede's hands, and"wept with her face against am not so insane that necessary or right
is
it
I
his shoulder. 'You have removed a weight to lock me up when don't wish it'
I
from my i heart' Tvede shook his head. seemed the
It
if
as
Tvede continued to reassure her that Knut conversation was painful to him.
had been quite beside himself, because he was ,,f Take me away at once that may go home,
I
not aljovêd to see her. only that may see the boy and pack my
I
'
Hierqnimus has been lying, then,' said Else, trunk,' said Else eagerly, and in tears. Then
'
drying h,er eyes. 'Of course he lies, not will go wherever you and Knut wish, only
I
to speak of the other mistakes he makes. not to new asylum.'
a
What hîsaid about the noise I had made was No, dare not trust your word,' said Tvede
'
•
I
,
the most■ bare-faced invention, but seemed to
sadly. 'If
you are once at home, you
then
him appropriate for the moment' don't do what you promised. When the child
Tvedej■did not answer. was ill in the winter, you promised me not to
'What, did Knut when
say he read my get up in the night and go in to see him, but
\■■
letter?' you did all the same.'
it
' '
What has that to do with this ? Else thought I
'
And can't you ask the professor to let Knut
mournfully, and continued to implore. She also '
come soon ? i
told about the visit of the strange doctor. '

Better ask him yourself.'
'
Well, it seems to me that that ought not to Else heard Hieronimus' steps in the corridor.
'
happen here, said Tvede disapprovingly. That 'There he is,' she whispered suddenly. 'But
must have been painful to you, Fru Kant' you must help me and say that it is not true
'
Painful.'
Else raised her eyes to the ceiling. that Knut did not wish to see me. You must
'What do you think it has been for me to lie in give him a good scolding.'
that cell raving mad people, with no
among *
Well,' said Hieronimus, looking fixedly from
sleep night or day, and what do you think it is the one to the other.
still?' ,
Else cast an imploring look at Tvede.
Tvede gazed at Else with a look of com ' Fru Kant would so much like to see her
passion, in which Else also read doubt, and a husband,' in a tone which seemed most humbly
firm determination not to allow himself to be to ask the professor's pardon.
moved. 'Well, if Herr Kant wishes to see her, with
'But promise to tell Knut
at least you will pleasure, of course ; but somehow I- have got a
everything — how Hieronimus has tortured me 'different impression.'
and told lies, and has said that Knut did not '
I think he would wish to,' said Tvede.
wish to see me,' said Else al/ last His tone was so vacillating, his expression un
'
Yes, Fru Kant,' again Tvede shook her certain, that Else feared he had deceived her.
hands. ' '
And wouldn't you like to see the child too ?
'
Tell him that I have been in a cell and am Hieronimus asked with a sudden change in his
still living amongst the mad, and that I hardly look or voice.
ever get any sleep, and that they allow strangers Again Else gasped for breath, but this time it
to come in and stand staring at me as if I were was for joy.
'
a curiosity. Will you do that ? '
Thank you so much,' she said.
'
Yes, yes, everything,' 'Well then, we'll try to arrange it Mean-
T
X
TX
2Q0 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 291
while, the* nurse whom you so much Want to see bidden. But now she absolved herself from
might come.' the promise. With a man like Heironimus
' '
Thanks, a thousand thanks ! Else continued. who lied about her and who scolded her in the
Tvede (went off together with Hieronimus. presence of Tvede, she was not obliged to keep
As Else gave Tvede her hand, her whole face her word.
shone. To make certain she would have her letter
' '
What an awful person he is ! The ready when Inger came and ask her to give it
countess :ame in with an almost irritated ex to Knufc^Perhaps Hieronimus would postpone
'
pression o n her mild face. Only to think that he Knut's visit It looked as if he enjoyed tortur
had the ir solence to say that the one who made ing her, and Tvede's behaviour had not inspired
most nois : was Fru Kant ! I was standing out her with hope. Before Hieronimus he had
side listening.' looked too submissive.
'Yes1,' ;aid Nurse Stenberg, who also had Out on the yellow table in the corridor she
come in, 'jwe can't make out what the professor found a piece of paper, and the pen and ink had
can mean by it' , been left in her room since they had last been used.
'The professor is a brute and a liar,' Else She sat down at once to write, but every time
thought scornfully. But what did it matter? she heard steps, she had to hide the paper
Now both would come, both Tage and Knut hastily behind her crochet work. As well as it
She told the news beaming with joy., was possible to do in a hurry, she described her
'About! the child, I don't understand,' said condition and purposely did not use strong
'
Nurse St mberg. Children never come to the words so that Knut should not think that she
hospital. But that's the professor's affair.' was exaggerating. In spite of all, the letter
became a cry for help from a soul in distress, an
In the letter to Hieronimus, Else had given ardent prayer for him to come at once.
him her word, that if the nurse was allowed to Anyhow, if he still stuck to the resolve to send
come s,he '.would not use her as a bearer of secret her to St Jorgen, against which she vehemently
messages and letters which she knew to be for- protested, it was absolutely imperative that he
.i
>,.r<s
292 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS » PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 293
■:!iT■■
should come and see her first With many every one. You are actors, all the lot of you,'
'
she said when Else came in, and if only it

' were
interruptions: she had covered the paper. She
folded it together and put it in her bosom. amusing, the comedy you are playing. But I
For the' first time since she had come to the can't bear to look at it It bores me.'
. i I
hospital, the heavy pain at her heart was gone. 'Only be quiet now,' Else said, taking her
She went for a walk in the cell corridor. Each hand,
'
and you will soon be allowed to get up
time she passed Madame From's door, the again.'

latter rose in ler bed hurling the bitterest abuse 'I shall '"never get up again,' Fru Syverts
after her. I : cried, bursting into tears.
'
I am so miserable,
'
You hate the effect on her of red rag on a so miserable I They drive me mad here.'
cell
mad bull,' Isaid Nurse Stenberg, shutting the Else looked through the glass in the
cell door. .
j j i door at Bella Holm. She lay quietly in bed
'
She is j
naughty, that one in there,' said asleep.But the puerperal maniac was sitting
streamed
granny. ijfer whole face beamed and she up in bed, crying so that the tears
'
murmured, nodding : Now granny is going for down her face.
Have you no handkerchief? said Else
' '- as the
a journey.
' '
Is she going away ? woman dried her face on the sheet
'
She is going to be moved to the quiet ward,' She looked a moment questioningly at Else,
said Nurse Suenson. '
A new patient is to have then continued to cry. >
her cell.' ,' !. j Else gave her her handkerchief.

her
Else touching farewell of granny.
took; a She •What a rag,' said the woman, holding
it
was not allb^pd to visit the quiet ward. handkerchief away from her. She crumpled
•
Who will give you coffee now, granny ? ' up and put it under her pillow.
So your husband is coming, I
'Yes, coffee,' granny laughed quietly. 'Our ' hear,' said the
dear Frue j 'will surely bring granny coffee,' assistant doctor at his evening round.
and she nodded confidingly. 'Now, surely you will be reconciled to the
Fru Syyerts lay in her bed, loudly abusing professor.'
^
'
Yes, and the child,' said
Else joyfully.
'Has the professor said that?' the doctor
asked dubiously. >
'Yes, but don't think I

believe it until I see
it. Else added. She was so gay and ho fu,
this> evening that she could afford to
appear as
if she too doubted it
Even if the professor deceived her, she would CHAPTER XXXIII
have the letter which
Inger would take hidden BEFORE bedtime Else had an opportunityof
in her bosom. :
writing still more to Knut, on little scraps of
paper which she got from the countess, on the
pretext that she wished to make a list of a few
little things which she wished to have sent from
home. Again and again she repeated her prayer
that he would come, and added : 'If you are
not here on Friday evening at latest, I shall
abandon myself to terrible despair.'
That night Else slept for six hours even after
the usual dose. The next morning she went on
writing. At last she had got a good deal
written. Full of hope, she pushed it into a piece
of newspaper and»again hid it in her bosom. A

little after eleven o'clock Inger really appeared.
Else burst out crying when she saw her, and
asked her to tell her everything about Tage.
Inger told one thing and another, and Else sat
and listened and asked her questions.
/■»,'■
tytt' I PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 297
ill
her in woollen socks, in
This must be an awful place for you to be in,' young woman flew past
'
sewn together at the
said Inger at last canvas shirt with sleeves
a
race up and
'Yes, terrible. Do tell your master that, and ends. She hurried past in a wild
chattering all the time. In
here something have written to him.' Else down, shrieking and
is
I
overturned,
quickly took out the little packet arid put one corner lay the wash-hand-stand
it
on the floor.
•
inside Inger's dress. 'Nobody must know it,' and the crockery lay broken
Oh, Rasmussen Oh,
If Oh Father
God
I
she whispered. you are asked when you
'
!
'
!
Mother! Mother!
leave whether you have taken anything with Jakobs'enVOh, Jesus Christ
I
was crimson in the
you, you must say no, or you will get me into Auntt Rasmussen!' She
with fear.
trouble.' face, and /her wild eyes gleamed
shrieked, suddenly
Inger nodded knowingly. You may rely on 'Here God Father!' she
is
'
o
Else. Oh,
'
me, Frue.' throwing herself on her knees before
She banged her
'
Just then Hierbnimus came. Well, this God Father Oh Rasmussen
!
is
'
!
and took hold of Elses
the right servant he asked in friendly tone. face on the floor
'
a
?
Yes, thank you,' said Else. skirt

'
He stood there for while and then went Else drew back frightened.
a
Stenberg. She
away. When Inger was going, Else followed her 'Come along,' said Nurse
the howling woman.
up the cell corridor. bent down and lifted up
chair, and took her on
Here you can see what sort of company Then she sat down on
a
'
am in,' said Else, stopping in front of the open

I her lap.
Who that Else asked.
'
is
cell door.
?
'
old.'
Ugh no said Inger, covering her face with A Nurse Foss, twenty-four years
'
'
'
!
out, Jesus and

Nurse Foss yelled and called
'
her hands. They look horrible.'
'
Father, Mother
In the afternoon Else heard a strange thump Rasmussen, Jakobsen, God
ing and continual groaning coming from the cell Aunt
'
and .
!
cell corridor was filled with her
corridor, and then the noise of something being The whole
tear herself
upset and smashed. When she went out, a shouts. Every moment she tried to
S?S)8
PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS yyy
on. the table in the corridor, and now these

The whole day she beautiful lines echoed in her mind, while her
continued in the same
way. Whenever Nurse bosom heaved with joy at the thought of spring,
t
Stenberg was clnTd
away oHe, her go, she which must be in the air outside, and with long
rushed up^nd down
a tearing
hurry. ing for sunshine and liberty.
Morphia injections had
no
J* ^
Vague and uncertain, like waves softly spark
gone
eon Th
to bed, she ;n CVenin& after Else had
heard the noise from
ling on the shore, there rose in her mind a
the
distance, although Nurse picture of the summer days of her youth where
Foss had been locked'
snow-capped mountains, reaching to the sky,
sleep all the had glistened in the sunlight, while down the
The idea that Knut
same.
had the brooks ran between sloping moss-
letter gave her peace of valleys,
recejvedher mind.
The next day was covered stones, where the nixies turned their
Thursday. It was a bri,_
thC handmills. How warmly and enchantingly the
lev
sky. ™
Else
"?,m°rn,'ng SUn yi««»nating
felt the sunshinein
the sun had peeped between the leafy, delicate
her heart/ She
d.d not heed the
noise and shrieks
branches of the white-stemmed silver burches.
from Nurse
She felt the summer wind rustling about her,
and seemed to smell the new-mown hay.
' There where long

years ago, my heart beat high,
I fain would be.'
,ts heavy
Bending ears before the
reaper,
The" whfre'r
SWeCt SCe"tS t0
*»*'«» — ■ Her eyes filled with tears as she stood by the
window looking out for Knut In the corner of
the high wall down there was a small back door
which she could only just see. It was through
She had read that it that visitors were admitted.
verse on a piece of
torn '
newspaper, which she had To-day, you will probably see your husband,'
found in the
morning the assistant doctor had said when he made
■i
H i i
300
HKbFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 301
his round, and since

then, Else had not quitted Knut,' Else thought, ' she would not then dare
her post at the window.
to contradict me any more.'
It was now half-past ten,
the visiting hour had
begun. '
•
How can she possibly keep it up ? said Else
The clock pointed to eleven, and Else was to Nurse Stenberg in the afternoon, as she sat in
still standing there
waiting and gazing. Her- the corridor looking at Nurse Foss, whose con
hopes began to wane.
dition was unchanged. Her lips were bloody
The clock pointed to
half-past twelve, and she and raw, and on the tip of her tongue was a
stillstood there, restless and '
feverish
She was deep wound. How is it she doesn't get ex
obliged to keep always '
moving about hausted ?
•Ybu need no longer '
expect your husband' She has had six morphia injections,' answered
said Nurse Stenberg's
voice from behind her Nurse Stenberg; 'now she is going to have a
It is now twelve
o'clock.' wet sheet'
Else sat down in the
chair, and shed tears of Nurse Suenson came in with a pail of water
bitter disappointment
But hope revived - To carrying some sheets over her arm. Nurse
morrow was a new
day. She would wait Stenberg took Nurse Foss and dragged her into
patiently till to-morrow.
the cell, where Nurse Suenson had set the pail
'
I won't be sent up to St
J6rgen after all,' down. Else followed them and looked on while
said Else to Nurse /
Suenson. the two nurses undressed the patient who
. 'Do you think not?'
struggled all the time.
Nurse Raeder's kindly
dubious expression had Nurse Foss was laid on a mattress on the
made an unpleasant
impression on Else' but floor. Nurse Stenberg knelt down holding her,
she shook itI off,
and said, 'Well, well, while Nurse Suenson wrung out the sheets
only
*
wait
which had been folded in broad bandages and
■ •
I
have never known the
professor's intentions dipped in the pail, and then the patient, whose
fail of being fulfilled,'
answered Nurse Raeder mouth had not been still for a moment, was, in
'
^ only I ;dared tell her
about my letter to spite of all resistance wrapped in the sheets from
302
PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 303
her head t> her feet

She was then rolled in Friday, and she had written that she would
blankets; were fastened with large
wjich safety keep on expecting him till Friday.
pins. The perspiration trickled from the But again the day went as the previous clay
faces
of the I nurses and poured
fwc from Nurse had gone. She stood there until twelve o'clock.
Foss. The then left her and locked the She then turned from the window and sat down
y(,
cell
door.
in the chair, miserable and worn out
i!
j'
Else iren ained
standing in the corridor, and 'You have not been out in the corridor to
looked tprcdgh the panes of
glass in the door day,' saidNurse^Stenberg, pulling Else out of
Nurse! F^s chattered and howled as before the chair with both hands. 'Come along, we
wh.le her whole body jerked
up and down on miss you out there.'
thfrmatfresk
At last she managed to Yes, Knut might still come. 'On Friday
wriggle
off the mat and
j■ess lay jerking about on the evening at latest,' she had written. Oh, Knut
!
bare flodr.
Knut If only she could speak to him, explain
j
!
'Hash husband
been here to-day?' the to him that lunatic asylum was not the place
t
vcûr
a
assistant doctor asked on his evening round for her. He had never,' never failed her. She
You
'
he hasn't,' Else answered. followed Nurse Stenberg into the corridor and
kncjjr
You ma; be sure he will come,
'
looked through the pane of glass at Nurse

*
when the pro- ■

fessor has promised,' said
the assistant with Foss.
a
nod.
I■
Nurse Foss was walking up and down the

|
He also promised that the child

'
should come, floor, stark naked, crouching, howling and yell

and that
is,
believe, against the rules.' ing, and calling for Rasmussen, God Father, and
Ij
Next
mcrping was another sunny
day and all the others. On the mattress lay some torn
agam Else iôodat the window
gazing out, and pieces of clothing.
*™» ^—
again there in her
|xhoed mind the assistant's During the night she had torn off the bandage.
words
They had then given her some clothes, which,
I'
'Surely jhW husband will come Else was told, she had torn off and rent to
to-day.'
'Yes, ismjely,' Else, thought
To-day was shreds.
M.I •
'ij
I
I
:
il
304 !;'! PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS
'
j
In the afternoon Else could scarcely sit still
i
for moment A tearing anxiety shook her,
a
and suspense gnawed at her heart
I
The day went, and Knut did not come. Not

:
:
until six o'clock did Else give up all hope.
CHAPTER XXXIV
And
'
all suspense and anxiety was gone.
now
In there stead came an icy callousness which
brought her peace. So was true after all that
it
Knut did not wish to see her, seeing he had not
come after the letter she had sent, then — . She
could not understand in the least, but didn't
it
it
matter. When Hieronimus came on his evening
round, Else asked her husband had now been
if
told that he might visit her.
'No,' said Hieronimus in cheerful tone.
a
There no hurry.'
is
'
Well, doesn't matter now,' Else answered,
it
'
'■
no longer wish to see my husband.'
I'
I
'The wish will soon return,' Hieronimus

hastened to say.
Next morning, on his round, the assistant
again began to talk of Herr Kant coming. The
professor did not go back on his word.
U
"*\
if"
don't want ever to see my husband again,'
'
the message correctly that gave you for my
I
said Else vehemently, never more in this life.'
'
husband.'
Fie fie said the assistant
'
Dr
'
Tvede stood and stammered, looking
!
' He has let me be here without once seeing serious and sad. His visit was short one. On
a
me. It's not due to him that have not become
leaving, he shook hands with Else.
I
mad.' This
Good-bye,' said Else, rising. probably
is
'
'
Come, be reasonable, Fru Kant' The as-
'
the last time shall speak to you, because, when
I
sistant took Else's hand and looked fixedly at of St Jorgen,
get out shan't see you any
I
I
her. You don't know what pressure has been
'
more.'
brought to bear on your husband.' And Tvede went
'BQt why has he, then, this sudden faith in An hour later Hieronimus Again Else
came.
authority, and in one so unworthy of as
it
asked her husband had been told that he
if
Hieronimus
'
might visit her.

?
Ought one not to believe the doctor, Fru

'
And again came the same cheerful, No,' and
'
Kant?' Cultured people are educated to.that' the same, There no hurry. By the way,
is
'
I
And so one exposes one's nearest relations to
'
was to give you this.' Hieronimus laid letter
a
the risk of ruin for the sake of convention.' on the table in front of Else. was from Knut,
It
That afternoon, about five o'clock, Dr Tvede and Else saw at once, that, like the former letter,
stood suddenly before Else.' She was sitting had been opened.
it
with her crochet at the window. don't read letters from my husband that you
'
I
Else received him with icy calm. He brought have opened,' said Else, rising hurriedly.
her message from her husband. I'm sorry for your husband,'
a
Then replied
'
And am to be sent to St Jorgen was
'
'
Hieronimus.
?
Else's only question. Else moved away few steps. She remained
a
'Yes, Fru Kant' standing half turned away.
Well then, we have nothing more to say to
'
Besides, your indignation quite futile. You
is
'
one another. You have, suppose, delivered

■
who were once before shut up. Surely you know

I
!l il
■■;
308 ^PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 309
that the letters of patients in an and had had delusion about little fat grey
a
asylum are
a
always dperied.' man, who was continually jumping up and down
■
Thosq who wrote letters to me then, did not on the table, always getting the lamp between
'
I
care about.' different now. Besides, my his legs.
It
is
letters were not opened.' But as soon as she went to the institution she
H-m, ydu are surely making to sleep. The fat, grey man had
v
mistake.' had begun
'
a
over
Else mjea'sured him with cold look. disappeared, and soothing peace had come
a
'You ought certainly to keep your mind under her, and afterthe lapse of two months, when the
control,' Hieronimus went on sarcastically. You time came for her to leave the establishment,
'
will, howeyer, have good opportunity of doing so she had asked to be allowed to stay little
a
when you have been placed in St Jorgen for longer. But the dear old doctor had smiled,
a
considerably time.' ^ and had shaken his grey head, saying that he
Else didn't utter sound. could not conscientiously keep her there any
a
longer, as she would take up the place of

Hieronirrius was real
a
long time in leaving. When
a
he was gone, Else took the letter between her patient It was just the memory of this peaceful
finger and thumb and threw on the table in time at the dear old doctor's that had made her
it
the corr'iooK so ready to seek help from Hieronimus.

You, who were once before shut up.' That From Hieronimus, that man who had published
'
this so-called specialist in mental diseases should few articles which had made a sensation, and
a
throw this her face who gave lectures that interested the young
ijfi
Yes, that time. How nice and quiet had medical students! Nothing else was known
it
been in the' establishment of that dear, kind old him. Yes, was also known that he
it
about
doctor, whq long since had been at rest in his had a weak digestion, and somewhat peevish
a
grave. That time, too, was continual sleepless temper.
it
The next morning was the professor who
it
ness caused by mental shocks that had made
white-coated student,
her ill. Arid that time she had been worse than came round, followed .by
a
now. She had not known her nearest relatives, and when he came, Else was walking up and
I
••;]:
1
1
•J
(i
'•I
he did, otherwise would not have
in the little corridor outside Of course
I
down her room.
'
Fru Kanf Nurse Stenberg-s tone
j
She heard his steps, but did not turn round
it,
done dear
-j
..
'Do you think that
I
until she had reached the end of the corridor. was mildly reproachful
I
could help it?
if
Good-morning,' said Hieronimus. would cause you annoyance
I
'
Tvede, that man
Good-morning,' Else murmured. Else stood speechless.
'
much, and who had

How are you getting on whom she had liked so
'
'
?
What did all mean?
it
'As Else passed him, and entering
usual.' been her friend.
to this ward, no one
her room, went, up to the window, where she 'When one has■ come
Yes, yes,
stood with her back turned to him. takes any notice of what one says.'
treated and looked upon
like
'DrTvede came yesterday,' she heard the yes, she was being
professor's voice out in the corridor. strange animal.
a
j
Yes,' answered Nurse Stenberg.

'
Did she makei a scene

'
'
No, there was no scene, and sat out there

'
in the corridor,i' and the I

visit went off very
quietly. But Dr Tvede
only was there
a
moment, and, when he went he said that Fru
Kant had been angry.'
'Note thati Frue Kant has shown anger to
Dr Hieronimus laughed, and seemed to
Tvede,'
turn to the student, Else thought
'You might have spared me that, Nurse
Stenberg,' sajd lElse, when the doctor had
;•i
gone.
U■
Dr Tvede was bound

it,
ask,ed me to tell so
'
to do so.'
■
■
:
|
Is really true Did he ask you

it
'
'
?
'('■
'1
nil
'
'Or he not the right man. begin to
is
1
think that there has been quarrel between him
a
and Else, and that Hieronimus has had the
:l ii i
worst of it He now keeps her back on purpose
to crush her.'
■[■■
''■'
CHAPTER XXXV Tvede shook his head dubiously. Well, we'll
'
On Knut, Else's letter had acted both write to the senior physician at St Jorgen
like volley of
a
She must get on better there.'
grape-shot, that scattered
his thoughts all
in
Will you speak to Else for am not per
'
directions. ■He had no idea that
I
things could
mitted to do so Besides, would not be much
it
appear like that He trembled with compassion,
?
and at his heart lay the fear use now.'
that sending her to
Yes.'
'
the hospital had after all
been mistake. But
a
m this matter he dared That same day Tvede was taken ill. He sent
not act on his own
word to Knut that was impossible for him to
it
responsibility. He had at once taken the letter
to Dr Tyede. visit Else during the next few days. Knut felt
'Wh4t are we to do,' Knut asked, the whole burden of the situation on his
secretly Its
hoping that Dr Tvede would shoulders. He wrote letter to Else.
a
be as uncertain
and ready to give up the ambiguous language might bring her consola
thing as he himself.
'You must hold out,' Tvede replied tion. Anyhow, would be an answer within
it
gravely of waiting mentioned by Else. But the
'To interrupt the cure now would the time
only be a
letter, spite of Knut's earnest prayer, remained
in
mistake.'
f' i!
'
for some days lying in Hieronimus' pocket

'
F
'But. ,this continual mental and bodily

suffer At Knut got Hieroni
ing last, on Sunday morning,
?'
i;,
'Yes, I!i can't understand mus' assurance that now the removal to St
why Hieronimus
Jorgen might be accomplished. His wife's
jin
keeps her that ward.

It
is
clearly not the

right place,' condition had, however, got worse. She was
interview which he had
l
■ very bad and the

i
::■ .!
y
promised should take place before her removal,

he' advised should be postponed. There would
only be an exciting scene which would do her
harm.
For the first time there was something effusive
and kind in the professor's tone.
•
You need not place your wife among the •
uC■HAPTER XXXVI
first-class patients at St Jorgen,' he said in the
course of his talk. that long, long, weary Sunday Else
'
'Only very rich people do UGH
'
!
I
that Their second-class corresponds to the lay on the couch the greater part of the day,
first here.' quiet, hopeless, stony. In the afternoon, Nurse
Knut thanked him for the information. He Stenberg came in and sat down by her, and kept
did not know then that it was incorrect on patting her hand, and stroking her arm.
Am to go now
'
Suddenly Else said
'
?
I
:
'Yes, Fru Kant,' said Nurse Stenberg, in her
mild, kind voice. Early to-morrow morning.'
'
Else threw herself on the nurse's neck, and
began to cry.
'
A message came a little while ago to get your
'
.
things ready. A parcel from your home has
also been sent'
'Your home!' The words were like stab
a
through Else's heart She scarcely had home
a
any longer.
Don't be unhappy, Fru Kant,' Nurse Sten
'
berg said consolingly. You won't be long at
'
I''
St Jorgen, believe me.'

^ PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 317
The last morning had come, and Else

' had put
No,' said Else wearily, '
and I shan't have to
She wrote, in tearing
a
see Hieronimus there.' her things together.
!
in which she gave
hurry, letter to Hieronimus,
i
Then, the countess came, and sat and wept
a
expressing
with her. She was as hopeless as Else. vent to all her contempt and anger,
Finally, she
The hours passed and the assistant came in her accusations, point by point
she got out of St
the evening. threatened that as soon as
*
You him answer for his be
see that my husband hasn't come yet' Jorgen, she would make
' Your sincere
haviour to htf, and signed herself:
i
No, I can't understand it'
'
'A gentleman of his word, that Professor enemy, Else Kant' She had scarcely finished
Hieronimus I' the letter, when the assistant doctor came.
speak alone with you for
moment
'
1
?
May
a
Come, now, we'll go round together,' said the
'
I
what ask, as
Else asked, and will you answer
I
assistant doctor, putting his arm through Else's.
I
'
person who not in
is
a
They went together into the cells. you would answer
a
All the kindness and gratitude that Else first Will you do that said Else,
'
lunatic asylum
?
?
felt for the assistant, swelled up freshly and fully . as the doctor had closed
the door.
into her heart 'Yes,' said the doctor, will.'
'
I
Bella Holm had been moved, and in her cell Will you tell ever you have noticed any
if
me
'
have been here?'
lay an old peasant woman, who had got her hip sign of madness about me while
I
crushed by a kick from a horse. She moaned, No,' replied the doctor gravely.
'
and in a high, shrill voice, with a frequent break think it's right all the same
'Then, do you
should be sent to St Jorgen
'
in
it,
she wailed about this hell.
?
She had been that
I
do with.'
sent, too, and insisted on being sent home. She 'That's matter that have nothing to
I
.
a
in
legal right to place his wife
a
had to cook her husband's dinner. Has man
a
a
as he and
Speak good word for me to the professor, lunatic asylum against her will, as soon
'
mad
'
doctor say that she
is
you, lady, there she called after Else.
'
?
a
!
She has come to the right person,' said Else, Yes, and vice versa!
'
' In that case, many abuses of the law

may arise.'
smiling. '
*■
318 pWbssob hieronimus PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 319
'Yes, too happens Can't you really understand that bad weather
*
:thatj frequently,' was the
doctor s answer. would harmonise better with my state of mind
'
?
*
And have I no redress ? Am I not at liberty
■i
Else asked.
to speak tyitlj a solicitor or
a friend ? ' Oh, yes, of course, but good-bye now.'
'
'
No, notiWhilst you are here, 'Good-bye,' said Else, pressing his hand
and the superin
tendent pf St Jorgen can keep you for heartily. Many thanks for your kindness to me.'
years if
'
he wishes.■'.
it
j.j*
smile of triumph appeared Don't mention hope you will get on well.'
'
in the
I
doctor's eyes, as
if
he enjoyed the thought Then Else her outdoor clothes on. She
of ■got
doctors having so much power. said good-bye to the countess and the nurses,
'But he won't do that,' he added kissing each, and thanking them for all they
little later.
a
He's So .ammble.' had done for her. She also went into the
'Oh, does jit depend on that how long patients' cells. Fru Syverts gave her her hand
a
patient has jto be locked in farewell, and made some spiteful remarks
up? On whether the
doctor is amiable or not? about this play-acting.
'
The shrugged his When they came to the quiet ward, Else
doctorj shoulders.
'Yes, tha'frjwas all,' said Else, asked for granny but she was still in bed, and
'but allow
myself to be
âken
to St Jorgen, under the
most I time was so short And then the large folding-
emphatic on my part of the corridor were unlocked.
doors at the end
protest take yon to
I
witness. Else remembered the rattle of the keys on the

it
is
lFor| mistake that

a
should be
I
taken to St first evening when she had come with Knut

Jorgen.*
'
said' the doctor, shaking She looked down the long corridor where the
Good-bye,j hands
See what, weather you are having for were sitting on the yellow chairs, and
ni<fe the patients
|
{■
journey.' .
them Bella Holm, who was holding her
:
among
'.
had much rather

'
had been very horrid head bent over of knitting, looking

I
it
large piece
a
bad weather,' said Else.
ashamed. And suddenly Else was seized with
'What pbssimist you are, always discon that made her eyes wet Here she
sadness
*
tented.' was known after all and almost at home. And

:
.
■.
r.
■•m
m Crown 8vo, 3s. 6d. net

320 HIERONIMUS
PROFESSOR
here she had suffered and fought and conquered.
What was awaiting her in the new place ? ' WE WOMEN AND OUR AUTHORS
/ Nurse Stenberg followed her down, the whole
BY
way down on to the steps. Again Else could
not but think of that evening when she and LAURA MARHOLM HANSSON
Knut had come that way. She had been in
An English Rendering from the Second Edition
there for twenty-five days, which were as twenty- German
ôf__the Work,
five years. . i
By HERMIONE RAMSDEN
Outside the steps was a carriage with two
horses and two men on the coach-box. At the
side of the carriage stood a kindly old woman
" The author was well equipped tor her task. Her strong intelligence
who was to be Else's guardian on the long drive and her good sense were needed for an examination such as this. Her
sharp, incisive, ofT■hand comments give originality and force to what
to St Jorgen's hospital. . ... would be otherwise a mere work of criticism. The author has been ably
seconded by her translator, Miss Ramsden, whose racy English does
When Else came out on the steps she turned not read like a rendering from a foreign tongue."— Literary World.
'' It is interesting to find a woman who has grasped the modern problem
to Nurse Stenberg and embraced her, thanking in its entirety, and who has the courage to state it and boldly to give her
solution. It is all the more interesting that a German woniun— who, by
her heartily for all her kindness.' Then she the conditions of the national life, is moro restricted than her follows of
many othor nationalities — should have considered, impartially, both sides
'
stepped into the carriage followed by the old of the question. ' We Women and Our Authors is a remark abio book.
It is one of the clearest criticisms that has been written on the relations
woman lietween the BexeB. The writer states her views with great vigour ;
sometimes with a metaphysical subtlety that is in the Lost sen su Teutonic,
at other times with true feminine passion."— Critic.
The sun was shining brightly on the large " MiSs Honssonhas written an able book." — Pall Mall Gazette.
quadrangle of the hospital. Else looked through "The book is interesting, not only because of the illumination it throws
upon one of the most interesting sides of life, but because of the un
the window and thought with something like conscious self■revelation of an extremely interesting temperament."—
Literature.
envy of Fru Fog, and the suicide who had also "The authoress of ' Wo Womon and Our Authors ' deals luminously
and
painstakingly, and in a manner which proves that it is in nu spirit of
been brought away, from this place. And now rashness■or hasty Judgment, that she bida woman turn for guidance, in
living their lives, from these writers to the Qod■implanted instinct in her
she was really on her way to a new prison. breast."— Yorkshire Herald.
" A writer is always to be congratulated who Is lucky enough to hit on
a theme which has not been already exploited. Congratulations uro due to
Madame Hanason, the vivacious author of 'We Women and Our Authors.'
Criticism is Madame Hansson'a forte, and as a malleus atiiltorum she
THE END displays akill and power."— World.
London & New York : JOHN LANE,

AX 000 3b7 723
JAN 82

Professor Hieronimus

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Professor Hieronimus

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Professor Hieronimus / translated from the Danish of Amalie Skram

by Alice Stronach and G.B. Jacobi.

Public Domain in the United States,

We have determined this work to be in the public domain

■._i:..-• " -- v..*^- ..•■'■

JOHN LANE: THE BODLEY

HEAD: LONDON AND NEW

All rights rtstrvtd

the real sex the author.

vi PREFACE PREFACE vii

a roman a clef, full of life-like portraits. For English *ut- '•«■■.■

readers it will not, of have this sensational

2 PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 3

trivial duties, the performance of

my boy Shall sing to But there you are chattering again.'

and tall, broad-shouldered man with a dark,

He has such pain in his head,

So you are hungry, little chap

But Tage suddenly seized a large piece of

was intolerable to see her stand

you of rest that'

of it?' Nothing. Just leave me alone.'

must be fresh and clear-headed

to be able to see, and now know what you arc meditating.'

tired.' Else looked hard at him. He stood calmly

The room was full of them jwhen you came in.

Now, at this hour

which he was conscious of the sound of Else's

All at once he started up in terror, jumped

taking her by the shoulders.

for ever thinking of Kirsten whom we turned

articles, and has often

once, but merely looked at Knut with his mild,

however much At Jast paralysed mass, and

wanted her to lie down on the sofa in the

sat down with his back wedged into ■

corner. sad face and persuasive voice, then two clerical

Knut smiled and whispered back. '

crossed over the other and holding in his hands

Although for so short

Else went on until she reached the big folding

stopped a little way behind :*-'

sleeves. Her large head swayed sometimes ' '

a mistake and have her taken somewhere else. indignantly.

her mouth. things torn off me like that'

shoulder and said sternly

woman came quite close to filse, bent over her

foot of the bed. Then she asked for her bag.

54■ PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 55

The doctor smiled indulgently. 'We can't

Thorgren remained with one hand on

Then the assistant physician came, a man of '

' Suenson angrily,

A steps died away in

moment in the doorway. '

'Sleep!' Else down there to speak kindly to them as there is

ing beating, wild shrieking, and harsh abuse. It Nurse Suenson.

Nurse Suenson ! ' she exclaimed.

quietly. They can't do you any harm.' '

young face began to look dubious. '

to God that he had kept quiet about it She

me,' said Nurse Suenson, as if it were out of the

After the lapse of some hours Hieronimus '

TO PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS PROFESSOR HIERONIMUS 71