Collectanea. 327
fact that his nose was so long that it nearly reached the saddle pommel. Later on the bride came to her home for a short visit ; she told them continually that she was pleased with the food and drink, but she did not look happy. The last time they saw her at home she only stretched her hands in through the door, — they looked as though they were dipped in blood, — and said :
" Look ye, beware the ban, With these I every Thursday- evening span."
4. The Huldre-youth and the Girl in Grasdalenr^ — A girl of the name of Marit the year before her Confirmation was already-^ saeter-girl in Grasdalen. There came a young and beautiful youth and courted her. But, as she feared that he was a huldre- youth, she would not let herself be persuaded to accept his offer, though he enticed her with fair words, and by oiifering her a quantity of pretty things both of silver and gold. She was no longer safe, for he intended to take her by force. But, as she constantly bore her Catechism -^ in her bosom, he had no power over her. Thus all went well the first year. Next summer she was again sseter-girl in Grasdalen, and now she had been con- firmed. The wooer came forward again, and he was much more pressing than the year before. As soon as she lay herself down in the evening, the boy came and stood at the head of the bed, playing on a mouth harp, enticing and begging her, but the girl was firm. At last he came one night with a whole following of hu/dre-ioVs., and let her know that now all was ready for her bridal, and she must go with them. But Marit had the book under her pillow ; she grabbed it and threw it at the boy, so that he had to flee. As the wooer and his following ran away, she heard someone say, "Thou shouldst have taken her before the Black Man (pastor) laid his hands on her, then thou wouldst have
'^ Up to the time of the last generation, Thursday and Saturday after 5 p.m., as well as all day on Sunday, were considered holy, and all who worked at those times were always pursued by ill luck.
^^ Grasdal is a small side valley of Sundal.
-^ Directly after Confirmation a girl is considered a woman, but before that she is a child. Girls are not generally sent up to the mountain dairies before their Confirmation, as they are not supposed to be able to look after themselves so well.
-^ The Catechism is used when preparing for Confirmation.
