218 SPOET IN NORWAY. 



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between milkpans and cheeses ; while the cock majesti- 

 cally struts about on the tester-bed. In the same room 

 which serves as dairy the Saetersdal peasant sleeps with 

 his family and servants, amongst pigs and goats, and 

 other smaller and still more lively animals.* 



The peasant of a higher rank has an especial shelf 

 under the roof for his cheese and milk., and, as is usually 

 the case, this is on the tester-bed, which does not con- 

 tribute to make the one more dainty, or the surface 

 of the other more white and pure. When a milk- 

 bowl is produced, especially in summer, it seldom fails 

 to be covered with a thick coating of dust and smuts, 

 which leaves the spectator in doubt as to what it 

 really is. But the native Saetersdalian eats it without 

 even blowing the dust off, so little does it disturb his 

 equanimity; for in the great vessels where he keeps 

 his sour milk for a whole year, one can see worms, 

 and other such trifles, running about as merrily as 

 possible. It all goes down, in enviable combination ! 



It were easy to relate many a striking incident in 

 corroboration of the dirtiness of the Ssetersdal peasant ; 

 but no description could possibly give a correct idea of 

 it. To appreciate it properly you must go and visit 



* A friend of mine had, some years ago, to pass the night in a 

 Ssetersdal cottage at least, a part of it ; for he was so tormented by 

 the " lively animals," that he had to make a bolt of it, stark naked, 

 into the river close by, before he could get rid of his company. 

 Next morning he looked as if he had got the measles ! 



