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his bed, beside that of the youngest brother, up in
the attic.
Then followed a winter of trouble with the child.
It cried incessantly, once even through a whole
night and day on end. The daily woman said that
it wasn't only from teething, but there were some
children who were possessed. The maid had to get
up in the night to relieve Agnete and to soothe the
child, walking up and down with it, rocking it in
her arms, a dummy in its mouth. Their neighbour,
Sanne, advised them to lance its gums ; the child
bled and screamed all the louder. Nothing availed.
One afternoon, when some customers who were
waiting shook their heads, the screaming up above
sounded so terrible, Frans went up to the bedroom.
His sister had thrown herself on the bed, her eyes
were closed, she was pale as death, tears were rolling
down her cheeks. He lifted the child out of the
cradle, and as it was cold he held it in his arms
between his coat and his shirt. It sobbed a little
longer and then was quiet. He walked up and down
with it like this for a while, soothing it and gently
patting its little legs; then he tried to put it down
in the cradle again, for at this time of day they were
busy in the shop, but it began again and stretched
its hands out to him. He took it up once more,
tinkled the bells on its rattle, and stood in front of
the window. The child heaved a sigh and closed
its eyes. He stood there so long that the lamp was