Árdís - 01.01.1966, Page 46

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ÁRDÍS
“Whoa, there, Harry, Steady, Tom,” coming fairxtly into the
room from outside was the signal for the girls to begin setting the
table for the evening meal.
Ií was with joy in his heart that handsome and athletic look-
ing Arni Thorleifson jumped off the sleigh at the side of the little
cabin of which he was so proud, his home, whose corner stone
was hope and love. He whistled as he unhitched the horses, rubbed
them down, stabled them and fed them along with his lone cow,
who mooed in a friendly greeting .... or maybe in anticipation of
a good supper. Meanwhile Trig, the dog, jumped around in wild
ecstacy to show his happiness at being home.
The cabin door opened to emit a flood of light and savory
odors of the meal. Both were very welcome to the man and to
the dog after the long day on the prairie. The bare little room was
indeed a haven of love and cheer on this cold March evening. In
the far corner stood a homemade bed neatly covered with a patch-
work quilt and offset by the snowy pillows. In another corner
near the foot of the bed, stood a large flat-topped trunk which,
at present, with the aid of a chair served as a bed for Beta who
was visiting her sister. Along the wall at the other end was a
shelf on which was a wash basin and water jug. A large box filled
to capacity with firewood stood next to the stove which glowed
with warmth and cheer as the flames sputtered and danced to the
music of the crackling of the burning wood. On top of the stove
were the pots and kettles containing the food for the coming
meal. Under the window stood the table, all ready laid for three
and centred with a brightly burning oil lamp. Everything in the
cabin was rough of surface, crude in design but spotlessly clean
and the very atmosphere filled with content and a feeling of well
being.
“Um-m, Hello, dear. What a perfect cnd to a perfect day.
How have you been since I left?” asked Arni as he embraced his
little wife, while Trig greeted Beta in his noisy, fussy way, jumping
and barking.
“Hello, Arni dear,” answered Veiga. “It certainly is a perfect
end to a very long day. We have been fine all day — but come
now and have your supper.”