安徒生童话-第11部分

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eart；　what　do　you　advise　me　to　do？〃

〃I　advise　you　to　do　what　you　think　will　turn　out　to　yourhappiness；〃　said　the　girl。　〃Be　kind　and　good　to　her；　but　rememberthis；　from　the　hour　we　part　we　shall　never　see　each　other　again。〃

Years　passed；　then　one　day　she　met　the　old　friend　and　sweetheartin　the　street；　he　looked　ill　and　miserable；　and　she　could　not　helpasking　him；　〃How　are　you？〃

〃Rich　and　prospering　in　every　respect；〃　he　said；　〃the　woman　isbrave　and　good；　but　you　are　in　my　heart。　I　have　fought　the　battle；it　will　soon　be　ended；　we　shall　not　see　each　other　again　now　untilwe　meet　before　God！〃

A　week　has　passed；　this　morning　his　death　was　in　the　newspaper；that　is　the　reason　of　the　girl's　mourning！　Her　old　sweetheart　isdead　and　has　left　a　wife　and　three　step…children；　as　the　paper　says；it　sounds　as　if　there　is　a　crack；　but　the　metal　is　pure。

The　black　bow　signifies　mourning；　the　girl's　face　points　to　thesame　in　a　still　higher　degree；　it　is　preserved　in　the　heart　and　willnever　be　forgotten。　Delaying　is　not　forgetting！

These　are　three　stories　you　see；　three　leaves　on　the　same　stalk。Do　you　wish　for　some　more　trefoil　leaves？　In　the　little　heartbookare　many　more　of　them。　Delaying　is　not　forgetting！

THE　END。

　　1872

　FAIRY　TALES　OF　HANS　CHRISTIAN　ANDERSEN

　EVERYTHING　IN　THE　RIGHT　PLACE

　　　by　Hans　Christian　Andersen

IT　is　more　than　a　hundred　years　ago！　At　the　border　of　the　wood；near　a　large　lake；　stood　the　old　mansion：　deep　ditches　surrounded　iton　every　side；　in　which　reeds　and　bulrushes　grew。　Close　by　thedrawbridge；　near　the　gate；　there　was　an　old　willow　tree；　which　bentover　the　reeds。

From　the　narrow　pass　came　the　sound　of　bugles　and　the　trampling　ofhorses'　feet；　therefore　a　little　girl　who　was　watching　the　geesehastened　to　drive　them　away　from　the　bridge；　before　the　wholehunting　party　came　galloping　up；　they　came；　however；　so　quickly；that　the　girl；　in　order　to　avoid　being　run　over；　placed　herself　on　oneof　the　high　corner…stones　of　the　bridge。　She　was　still　half　a　childand　very　delicately　built；　she　had　bright　blue　eyes；　and　a　gentle；sweet　expression。　But　such　things　the　baron　did　not　notice；　while　hewas　riding　past　the　little　goose…girl；　he　reversed　his　hunting　crop；and　in　rough　play　gave　her　such　a　push　with　it　that　she　fellbackward　into　the　ditch。

〃Everything　in　the　right　place！〃　he　cried。　〃Into　the　ditch　withyou。〃

Then　he　burst　out　laughing；　for　that　he　called　fun；　the　othersjoined　in…　the　whole　party　shouted　and　cried；　while　the　hounds　barked。

While　the　poor　girl　was　falling　she　happily　caught　one　of　thebranches　of　the　willow　tree；　by　the　help　of　which　she　held　herselfover　the　water；　and　as　soon　as　the　baron　with　his　pany　and　the　dogshad　disappeared　through　the　gate；　the　girl　endeavoured　to　scramble　up；but　the　branch　broke　off；　and　she　would　have　fallen　backward　among　therushes；　had　not　a　strong　hand　from　above　seized　her　at　this　moment。　Itwas　the　hand　of　a　pedlar；　he　had　witnessed　what　had　happened　from　ashort　distance；　and　now　hastened　to　assist　her。

〃Everything　in　the　right　place；〃　he　said；　imitating　the　noblebaron；　and　pulling　the　little　maid　up　to　the　dry　ground。　He　wishedto　put　the　branch　back　in　the　place　it　had　been　broken　off；　but　itis　not　possible　to　put　everything　in　the　right　place；〃　therefore　hestuck　the　branch　into　the　soft　ground。

〃Grow　and　thrive　if　you　can；　and　produce　a　good　flute　for　themyonder　at　the　mansion；〃　he　said；　it　would　have　given　him　greatpleasure　to　see　the　noble　baron　and　his　panions　well　thrashed。　Thenhe　entered　the　castle…　but　not　the　banqueting　hall；　he　was　toohumble　for　that。　No；　he　went　to　the　servants'　hall。　The　men…servantsand　maids　looked　over　his　stock　of　articles　and　bargained　with　him；loud　crying　and　screaming　were　heard　from　the　master's　table　above：they　called　it　singing…　indeed；　they　did　their　best。　Laughter　andthe　howls　of　dogs　were　heard　through　the　open　windows：　there　they　werefeasting　and　revelling；　wine　and　strong　old　ale　were　foaming　in　theglasses　and　jugs；　the　favourite　dogs　ate　with　their　masters；　now　andthen　the　squires　kissed　one　of　these　animals；　after　having　wiped　itsmouth　first　with　the　tablecloth。　They　ordered　the　pedlar　to　e　up；but　only　to　make　fun　of　him。　The　wine　had　got　into　their　heads；　andreason　had　left　them。　They　poured　beer　into　a　stocking　that　he　coulddrink　with　them；　but　quick。　That's　what　they　called　fun；　and　it　madethem　laugh。　Then　meadows；　peasants；　and　farmyards　were　staked　on　onecard　and　lost。

〃Everything　in　the　right　place！〃　the　pedlar　said　when　he　had　atlast　safely　got　out　of　Sodom　and　Gomorrah；　as　he　called　it。　〃Theopen　high　road　is　my　right　place；　up　there　I　did　not　feel　at　ease。〃

The　little　maid；　who　was　still　watching　the　geese；　nodded　kindlyto　him　as　he　passed　through　the　gate。

Days　and　weeks　passed；　and　it　was　seen　that　the　brokenwillow…branch　which　the　peddlar　had　stuck　into　the　ground　near　theditch　remained　fresh　and　green…　nay；　it　even　put　forth　fresh　twigs；the　little　goose…girl　saw　that　the　branch　had　taken　root；　and　was　verypleased；　the　tree；　so　she　said；　was　now　her　tree。　While　the　tree　wasadvancing；　everything　else　at　the　castle　was　going　backward；　throughfeasting　and　gambling；　for　these　are　two　rollers　upon　which　nobodystands　safely。　Less　than　six　years　afterwards　the　baron　passed　outof　his　castle…gate　a　poor　beggar；　while　the　baronial　seat　had　beenbought　by　a　rich　tradesman。　He　was　the　very　pedlar　they　had　made　funof　and　poured　beer　into　a　stocking　for　him　to　drink；　but　honesty　andindustry　bring　one　forward；　and　now　the　pedlar　was　the　possessor　ofthe　baronial　estate。　From　that　time　forward　no　card…playing　waspermitted　there。

〃That's　a　bad　pastime；〃　he　said；　〃when　the　devil　saw　the　Bible　forthe　first　time　he　wanted　to　produce　a　caricature　in　opposition　toit；　and　invented　card…playing。〃

The　new　proprietor　of　the　estate　took　a　wife；　and　whom　did　hetake？…　The　little　goose…girl；　who　had　always　remained　good　and　kind；and　who　looked　as　beautiful　in　her　new　clothes　as　if　she　had　been　alady　of　high　birth。　And　how　did　all　this　e　about？　That　would　be　toolong　a　tale　to　tell　in　our　busy　time；　but　it　really　happened；　andthe　most　important　events　have　yet　to　be　told。

It　was　pleasant　and　cheerful　to　live　in　the　old　place　now：　themother　superintended　the　household；　and　the　father　looked　after　thingsout…of…doors；　and　they　were　indeed　very　prosperous。

Where　honesty　leads　the　way；　prosperity　is　sure　to　follow。　The　oldmansion　was　repaired　and　painted；　the　ditches　were　cleaned　andfruit…trees　planted；　all　was　homely　and　pleasant；　and　the　floorswere　as　white　and　shining　as　a　pasteboard。　In　the　long　winter　eveningsthe　mistress　and　her　maids　sat　at　the　spinning…wheel　in　the　largehall；　every　Sunday　the　counsellor…　this　title　the　pedlar　had　obtained；although　only　in　his　old　days…　read　aloud　a　portion　from　the　Bible。The　children　（for　they　had　children）　all　received　the　besteducation；　but　they　were　not　all　equally　clever；　as　is　the　case　in　allfamilies。

In　the　meantime　the　willow　tree　near　the　drawbridge　had　grown　upinto　a　splendid　tree；　and　stood　there；　free；　and　was　never　clipped。〃It　is　our　genealogical　tree；〃　said　the　old　people　to　theirchildren；　〃and　therefore　it　must　be　honoured。〃

A　hundred　years　had　elapsed。　It　was　in　our　own　days；　the　lakehad　been　transformed　into　marsh　land；　the　whole　baronial　seat　had；as　it　were；　disappeared。　A　pool　of　water　near　some　ruined　walls　wasthe　only　remainder　of　the　deep　ditches；　and　here　stood　a　magnificentold　tree　with　overhanging　branches…　that　was　the　genealogical　tree。Here　it　stood；　and　showed　how　beautiful　a　willow　can　look　if　onedoes　not　interfere　with　it。　The　trunk；　it　is　true；　was　cleft　in　themiddle　from　the　root　to　the　crown；　the　storms　had　bent　it　a　little；but　it　still　stood　there；　and　out　of　every　crevice　and　cleft；　in　whichwind　and　weather　had　carried　mould；　blades　of　grass　and　flowers　sprangforth。　Especially　above；　where　the　large　boughs　parted；　there　wasquite　a　hanging　garden；　in　which　wild　raspberries　and　hart's…tongueferns　throve；　and　even　a　little　mistletoe　had　taken　root；　and　grewgracefully　in　the　old　willow　branches；　which　were　reflected　in　thedark　water　beneath　when　the　wind　blew　the　chickweed　into　the　corner　ofthe　pool。　A　footpath　which　led　across　the　fields　passed　close　by　theold　tree。　High　up；　on　the　woody　hillside；　stood　the　new　mansion。　Ithad　a　splendid　view；　and　was　large　and　magnificent；　its　window　paneswere　so　clear　that　one　might　have　thought　there　were　none　there　atall。　The　large　flight　of　steps　which　led　to　the　entrance　looked　like　abower　covered　with　roses　and　broad…leaved　plants。　The　lawn　was　asgreen　as　if　each　blade　of　grass　was　cleaned　separately　morning　andevening。　Inside；　in　the　hall；　valuable　oil　paintings　were　hanging　onthe　walls。　Here　stood　chairs　and　sofas　covered　with　silk　and　velvet；which　could　be　easily　rolled　about　on　castors；　there　were　tableswith　polished　marble　tops；　and　books　bound　in　morocco　with　gilt　edges。Indeed；　well…to…do　and　distinguished　people　lived　here；　it　was　thedwelling　of　the　baron　and　his　family。　Each　article　was　in　keeping　withits　surroundings。　〃Everything　in　the　right　place〃　was　the　mottoaccording　to　which　they　also　acted　here；　and　therefore　all　thepaintings　which　had　once　been　the　honour　and　glory　of　the　oldmansion　were　now　hung　up　in　the　passage　which　led　to　the　servants'rooms。　It　was　all　old　lumber；　especially　two　portraits…　onerepresenting　a　man　in　a　scarlet　coat　with　a　wig；　and　the　other　alady　with　powdered　and　curled　hair　holding　a　rose　in　her　hand；　each　ofthem　being　surrounded　by　a　large　wreath　of　willow　branches。　Bothportraits　had　many　holes　in　them；　because　the　baron's　sons　used　thetwo　old　people　as　targets　for　their　crossbows。　They　represented　thecounsellor　and　his　wife；　from　whom　the　whole　family　descended。　〃Butthey　did　not　properly　belong　to　our　family；〃　said　one　of　the　boys；　〃hewas　a　pedlar　and　she　kept　the　geese。　They　were　not　like　papa　andmamma。〃　The　portraits　were　old　lumber；　and　〃everything　in　its　rightplace。〃　That　was　why　the　great…grandparents　had　been　hung　up　in　thepassage　leading　to　the　servants'　rooms。

The　son　of　the　village　pastor　was　tutor　at　the　mansion。　One　day　hewent　for　a　walk　across　the　fields　with　his　young　pupils　and　theirelder　sister；　who　had　lately　been　confirmed。　They　walked　along　theroad　which　passed　by　the　old　willow　tree；　and　while　they　were　on　theroad　she　picked　a　bunch　of　field…flowers。　〃Everything　in　the　rightplace；〃　and　indeed　the　bunch　looked　very　beautiful。　At　the　same　timeshe　listened　to　all　that　was　said；　and　she　very　much　liked　to　hear　thepastor's　son　speak　about　the　elements　and　of　the　great　men　and　womenin　history。　She　had　a　healthy　mind；　noble　in　thought　and　deed；　andwith　a　heart　full　of　love　for　everything　that　God　had　created。　Theystopped　at　the　old　willow　tree；　as　the　youngest　of　the　baron's　sonswished　very　much　to　have　a　flute　from　it；　such　as　had　been　cut　for　himfrom　other　willow　trees；　the　pastor's　son　broke　a　branch　off。　〃Oh；pray　do　not　do　it！〃　said　the　young　lady；　but　it　was　already　done。〃That　is　our　famous　old　tree。　I　love　it　very　much。　They　often　laugh　atme　at　home　about　it；　but　that　does　not　matter。　There　is　a　storyattached　to　this　tree。〃　And　now　she　told　him　all　that　we　alreadyknow　about　the　tree…　the　old　mansion；　the　pedlar　and　the　goose…girlwho　had　met　there　for　the　first　time；　and　had　bee　the　ancestorsof　the　noble　family　to　which　the　young　lady　belonged。

〃They　did　not　like　to　be　knighted；　the　good　old　people；〃　she　said；〃their　motto　was　'everything　in　the　right　place；'　and　it　would　notbe　right；　they　thought；　to　purchase　a　title　for　money。　My　grandfather；the　first　baron；　was　their　son。　They　say　he　was　a　very　learned　man；a　great　favourite　with　the　princes　and　princesses；　and　was　invitedto　all　court　festivities。　The　others　at　home　love　him　best；　but；　Ido　not　know　why；　there　seemed　to　me　to　be　something　about　the　oldcouple　that　attracts　my　heart！　How　homely；　how　patriarchal；　it　musthave　been　in　the　old　mansion；　where　the　mistress　sat　at　thespinning…wheel　with　her　maids；　while　her　husband　read　aloud　out　of　theBible！〃

〃They　must　have　been　excellent；　sensible　people；〃　said　thepastor's　son。　And　with　this　the　conversation　turned　naturally　tonoblemen　and　moners；　from　the　manner　in　which　the　tutor　spoke　aboutthe　significance　of　being　noble；　it　seemed　almost　as　if　he　did　notbelong　to　a　moner's　family。

〃It　is　good　fortune　to　be　of　a　family　who　have　distinguishedthemselves；　and　to　possess　as　it　were　a　spur　in　oneself　to　advanceto　all　that　is　good。　It　is　a　splendid　thing　to　belong　to　a　noblefamily；　whose　name　serves　as　a　card　of　admission　to　the　highestcircles。　Nobility　is　a　distinction；　it　is　a　gold　coin　that　bears　thestamp　of　its　own　value。　It　is　the　fallacy　of　the　time；　and　manypoets　express　it；　to　say　that　all　that　is　noble　is　bad　and　stupid；　andthat；　on　the　contrary；　the　lower　one　goes　among　the　poor；　the　morebrilliant　virtues　one　finds。　I　do　not　share　this　opinion；　for　it　iswrong。　In　the　upper　classes　one　sees　many　touchingly　beautiful　traits；my　own　mother　has　told　me　of　such；　and　I　could　mention　several。　Oneday　she　was　visiting　a　nobleman's　house　in　town；　my　grandmother；　Ibelieve；　had　been　the　lady's　nurse　when　she　was　a　child。　My　mother　andthe　nobleman　were　alone　in　the　room；　when　he　suddenly　noticed　an　oldwoman　on　crutches　e　limping　into　the　courtyard；　she　came　everySunday　to　carry　a　gift　away　with　her。

〃'There　is　the　poor　old　woman；'　said　the　nobleman；　'it　is　sodifficult　for　her　to　walk。'

〃My　mother　had　hardly　understood　what　he　said　before　hedisappeared　from　the　room；　and　went　downstairs；　in　order　to　save　herthe　troublesome　walk　for　the　gift　she　came　to　fetch。　Of　course　this　isonly　a　little　incident；　but　it　has　its　good　sound　like　the　poorwidow's　two　mites　in　the　Bible；　the　sound　which　echoes　in　the　depth　ofevery　human　heart；　and　this　is　what　the　poet　ought　to　show　and　pointout…　more　especially　in　our　own　time　he　ought　to　sing　of　this；　it　doesgood；　it　mitigates　and　reconciles！　But　when　a　man；　simply　because　heis　of　noble　birth　and　possesses　a　genealogy；　stands　on　his　hind　legsand　neighs　in　the　street　like　an　Arabian　horse；　and　says　when　amoner　has　been　in　a　room：　'Some　people　from　the　street　have　beenhere；'　there　nobility　is　decaying；　it　has　bee　a　mask　of　the　kindthat　Thespis　created；　and　it　is　amusing　when　such　a　person　isexposed　in　satire。〃

Such　was　the　tutor's　speech；　it　was　a　little　long；　but　while　hedelivered　it　he　had　finished　cutting　the　flute。

There　was　a　large　party　at　the　mansion；　many　guests　from　theneighbourhood　and　from　the　capital　had　arrived。　There　were　ladies　withtasteful　and　with　tasteless　dresses；　the　big　hall　was　quite　crowdedwith　people。　The　clergymen　stood　humbly　together　in　a　corner；　andlooked　as　if　they　were　preparing　for　a　funeral；　but　it　was　a　festival…only　the　amusement　had　not　yet　begun。　A　great　concert　was　to　takeplace；　and　that　is　why　the　baron's　young　son　had　brought　his　willowflute　with　him；　but　he　could　not　make　it　sound；　nor　could　hisfather；　and　therefore　the　flute　was　good　for　nothing。

There　was　music　and　songs　of　the　kind　which　delight　most　thosethat　perform　them；　otherwise　quite　charming！

〃Are　you　an　artist？〃　said　a　cavalier；　the　son　of　his　father；〃you　play　on　the　flute；　you　have　made　it　yourself；　it　is　genius　thatrules…　the　place　of　honour　is　due　to　you。〃

〃Certainly　not！　I　only　advance　with　the　time；　and