Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - The Christmas Dinner
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But the woman spoke first—in her voice lay a
dull tone, which was unusual.
“You stole me,” she cried. “You came like a
robber and stole me. They forced me with blows and
hard words to be your wife. I have only served you
as you deserved.”
The Major’s broad fist was lifted; his wife fell
back a step and then spoke again.
“The living eel squirms under the knife; a woman
married by force takes a lover. Will you strike me
now for what happened twenty years ago? Why
did n’t you strike then? Don’t you remember he
lived at Ekeby and we at Sjö? Don’t you remember
how he helped us in our poverty? We drove in his
carriages, we drank his wine. Did we hide anything
from you? Were not his servants your servants?
Did not his gold weigh down your pockets? Did
you not take the seven foundries? Then you were
silent and took his gifts. It was then you should
have struck, Berndt Samzelius, it was then!”
Her husband turned from her and gazed around
at all those present, and he read in their faces that
they thought her right—that they all thought he
had taken Altringer’s property and gifts
as a price for his silence.
“I never knew it,” he cried, and stamped on the
floor.
“It is well, then, that you should know it now,”
she interrupted, with a mocking ring in her voice.
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