Chapter 41
Ib and Little ChristinaIN the forest that extends from the banks of the Gudenau,
in North Jutland, a long way into the country, and not far from the
clear stream, rises a great ridge of land, which stretches through
the wood like a wall. Westward of this ridge, and not far from the
river, stands a farmhouse, surrounded by such poor land that the
sandy soil shows itself between the scanty ears of rye and wheat
which grow in it. Some years have passed since the people who lived
here cultivated these fields; they kept three sheep, a pig, and two
oxen; in fact they maintained themselves very well, they had quite
enough to live upon, as people generally have who are content with
their lot. They even could have afforded to keep two horses, but it
was a saying among the far
