CHAPTER II CHILDHOOD AND EARLY YOUTH SUNDSHOLM is situated in one of the most beautiful districts in Southern Sweden. The Lake Maren encircles the point of land on which Sundsholm's corps de logis is located. From this, a fine alley of unusually tall and handsome pyramid-poplars leads across blos- soming meadows. Near by, is a natural park of oak, birch, and evergreen trees, which Emil Key's love of beauty had created with very simple means. The landscape varies with large meadows, birch and oak, and, in the background, a great pine forest, now a memory only. Through the broad foliage of the aristo- lochia, which covered the front porch where the family usually gathered, one had a charm- ing view. At midsummer, the last rays of the sun could be seen through a break in the forest. From a hill in the park, one had a fine view of the whole Lake Maren, with all its coves and points. From this height, one also saw the 13