-
Seven
- Ohio University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
77 Seven on whitsunday of the year 1625, Parson Sören Qvist baptized the child of hans and ida Möller with water and salt into the community of Christ. Majestic in the authority which he assumed on Sundays, robed in the long black ornat with the white gauffered collar which anna kept fresh and crisp for him with much patient care, he took the heavily swaddled little infant into the hands which had helped deliver the Star, daughter of Golden rose, which had handled the plow and the udders of his kine, which was stained with earth as well as with the herbs of his garden, and he administered the sacramental salt with great tenderness. the infant cried at the bitter taste. he instructed the mother and the godparents in their duties, and he touched upon the matter of the exorcism of infants before baptism, and thanked God that they were all good Danes living under a humane and enlightened monarch . then ida Möller sat down and gave her child the breast to keep it quiet while the parson concluded the service. the sun was bright upon the vejlby congregation as they emerged, blinking, from the church, and bright upon the rugged limestone walls; unequivocal and bright upon the holiday garments, the sudden reds and cloudlike whites, the strong greens and browns and russets, and bright upon the new 78 Janet Lewis green of the grass and shrubs in the churchyard. anna had been invited to join the christening party. in the center of the group as she approached stood hans Möller’s wife with bewildered eyes, hugging her baby to her breast, feeling herself half a widow, uncertain yet as to whether she was disgraced in her communion by the so-recent charges brought against her husband, and confused to find herself the target of so many kind speeches, so much festivity. vibeke and the other servants from the parsonage came also to offer their congratulations, before starting home. Parson Sören smiled also as he passed, but did not stop to speak. he had other business in hand. about an hour later his white mare stopped in rosmos before the house of Judge tryg thorwaldsen, and the pastor alighted, shook out the folds of his black robe which he had worn tucked up about his hips, and handed the rein of the mare to the judge’s groom. the judge himself came down to the door to greet his guest. “why did you not tell me you were coming today?” he said. “we might have ridden together. i was at vejlby to hear you preach, but i did not stay for the christening.” “i saw you,” replied the pastor, “and it put me in mind that i have something to talk over with you. and no time like the present. let us go up, shall we?” the judge followed his friend up the steep and narrow stairway to the long, oak-paneled room which overlooked the street. “Stay and dine with me,” said the judge. “Kindly suggested,” said the pastor, “but i have this matter so on my mind that i would rather speak first and think of eating afterward.” “have at least a glass of wine with me,” said thorwaldsen, “for after such discoursing you must be thirsty.” [3.239.239.71] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 07:30 GMT) 79 T H E T R I A L O F S Ö R E N Q V I S T “true enough,” admitted the pastor with a smile. “the communion wine refreshes the soul but leaves the body requiring more liquid—either wine or beer.” he seated himself in the high-backed chair at one end of the long oak table. tryg took the chair at the opposite end, and together they waited while tryg’s housekeeper brought them glasses and a decanter of yellow Spanish wine. tryg was a tall young man, bony and fair-haired, with clear blue eyes with a steady focus that bespoke good health and absolute honesty of heart. he was young to be a judge, but twenty-six years old. Because of his father’s early death he was in full control of a moderate fortune and estate, and was well respected in the county. the parson poured himself a glass of wine and shoved the decanter down the table. “you were at randers, were you not, when the case of hans Möller came up for settlement...