Árdís - 01.01.1963, Blaðsíða 13

Ársrit Bandalags lúterskra kvenna 11
in betraying his fellows, but he almost had to pay for it with his
own life.
The story-teller evidently enjoys his job. This old man is
really a part of the farm. Here he was born. His mother was maid-
servant and his father was a laborer. They were very poor. When
Jón was seven years old, his father was lost in a snowstorm. His
mother continued working and soon became old and tired, but
remained in the farmer’s service until her death. At an early age
Jón got used to hard work and he always did his best. His memory
is so good that he has to hear a poem or a folk tale only once to
learn it by heart. Therefore he is popular with the people of the
farm. They like to hear his stories of outlaws and ghosts, fairy
tales and tales of the hidden folk.
Often after a good ghost story the children hardly dare to
move. If they are sent into the dark and narrow corridor to get
something for the grown-ups, they say their prayers all the way
there and back to guard them against the evil sp'irits.
But now it is almost bedtime. Before the people retire the
farmer usually conducts brief devotions. He rises, stretches out
his arm and takes a small old-looking book from an old wooden
shelf. This is the home devotion book, and is used every evening
at least during the winter. The people lay aside their pieces of
work and prepare to take part in the devotions. Before the reading,
the people sing a hymn. Then the farmer begins to read. His face
is grave and his voice changes and becomes more solemn, until
it sounds almost like a chant. This is the manner of reading
literature of this kind. After the reading, the people join in the
singdng of another hymn. Then everyone makes the sign of the
cross upon his brow, according to an ancient Icelandic custom,
and then bids each other good night.
I do not think we have time to stay overnight, even if it would
be interesting to spend tomorrow with our friends, and get a
glimpse of their daytime activities.
So we bid farewell to them and leave the sleeping farm.
We now have returned to the present and to another, larger
country. I thank you for your attention and wish you all the best.
In the future life you might meet some of these people and I
am sure they will be glad to tell you more, if you are still
interested.