《安徒生童话英文版》第170章

　　It is no use to stand upon ceremony. But where in the world isthe agent's house. There is a house, but it is not his; and peoplestill up in it, I can hear. Oh dear! I certainly am very queer." As hereached the half-open door, he saw a light and went in. It was atavern of the olden times, and seemed a kind of beershop. The room hadthe appearance of a Dutch interior. A number of people, consistingof seamen, Copenhagen citizens, and a few scholars, sat in deepconversation over their mugs, and took very little notice of the newcomer.

　　"Pardon me," said the counsellor, addressing the landlady, "I donot feel quite well, and I should be much obliged if you will send fora fly to take me to Christian's Haven." The woman stared at him andshook her head. Then she spoke to him in German. The counsellorsupposed from this that she did not understand Danish; he thereforerepeated his request in German. This, as well as his singular dress,convinced the woman that he was a foreigner. She soon understood,however, that he did not find himself quite well, and thereforebrought him a mug of water. It had something of the taste of seawater,certainly, although it had been drawn from the well outside. Thenthe counsellor leaned his head on his hand, drew a deep breath, andpondered over all the strange things that had happened to him.

　　"Is that to-day's number of the Day?" he asked, quitemechanically, as he saw the woman putting by a large piece of paper.She did not understand what he meant, but she handed him the sheet; itwas a woodcut, representing a meteor, which had appeared in the townof Cologne.

　　"That is very old," said the counsellor, becoming quite cheerfulat the sight of this antique drawing. "Where did you get this singularsheet? It is very interesting, although the whole affair is a fable.Meteors are easily explained in these days; they are northernlights, which are often seen, and are no doubt caused by electricity."

　　Those who sat near him, and heard what he said, looked at him ingreat astonishment, and one of them rose, took off his hatrespectfully, and said in a very serious manner, "You must certainlybe a very learned man, monsieur."

　　"Oh no," replied the counsellor; "I can only discourse on topicswhich every one should understand."

　　"Modestia is a beautiful virtue," said the man. "Moreover, Imust add to your speech mihi secus videtur; yet in this case I wouldsuspend my judicium."

　　"May I ask to whom I have the pleasure of speaking?"

　　"I am a Bachelor of Divinity," said the man. This answer satisfiedthe counsellor. The title agreed with the dress.

　　"This is surely," thought he, "an old village schoolmaster, aperfect original, such as one meets with sometimes even in Jutland."

　　"This is not certainly a locus docendi," began the man; "still Imust beg you to continue the conversation. You must be well read inancient lore."

　　"Oh yes," replied the counsellor; "I am very fond of readinguseful old books, and modern ones as well, with the exception ofevery-day stories, of which we really have more than enough.

　　"Every-day stories?" asked the bachelor.

　　"Yes, I mean the new novels that we have at the present day."

　　"Oh," replied the man, with a smile; "and yet they are very witty,and are much read at Court. The king likes especially the romance ofMesseurs Iffven and Gaudian, which describes King Arthur and hisknights of the round table. He has joked about it with the gentlemenof his Court."

　　"Well, I have certainly not read that," replied the counsellor. "Isuppose it is quite new, and published by Heiberg."

　　"No," answered the man, "it is not by Heiberg; Godfred vonGehman brought it out."

　　"Oh, is he the publisher?