They did not know any
of the boatmen, although they were from the estate; the boat also
was new.
But the islands among which they were soon rowing were the old
ones, which had long awaited them and seemed to have swum out to
meet them, and now to move one behind the other so that the boat
might pass between them. Neither mother nor son spoke to the men,
nor did they talk to each ether. In thus keeping silence they
entered into each other's feelings, for they were both awestruck.
It came upon them all at once. The bright evening light over sea
and islands, the aromatic fragrance from the land,--the quick
splash of a little coasting steamer as she passed them--nothing
could cheer them.
Their life lay there before them, bringing responsibilities both
old and new. How would all that they were coming to look to them,
and how far were they themselves now fitted for it?
Now they had passed the narrow entrance of the bay, and rounded
the last point beneath the crags of Hellebergene. The green
expanse opened out before them, the buildings in its midst. The
hillsides had once been crowned and darkly clad with luxuriant
woods.
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