THE WINTER NIGHT 295 



applause), and we therefore wished her, and ourselves 

 with her, long life (hear, hear!). After supper came 

 strawberry and lemon punch, and prizes were presented 

 with much ceremony and a good deal of fun ; all being 

 ^ taken off ' in turn in suitable mottoes, for the most 

 part composed by the ship's doctor. There was a prize 

 for each man. The first prize-taker was awarded the 

 wooden cross of the Order of the Fram, to wear sus- 

 pended from his neck by a ribbon of white tape ; the 

 last received a mirror, in which to see his fallen great- 

 ness. Smoking in the saloon was allowed this evening, 

 so now pipes, toddy, and an animated game of whist 

 ended a bright and successful holiday. 



" Sitting here now alone, my thoughts involuntarily 

 turn to the year that has gone since we stood up there 

 on the platform, and she threw the champagne against 

 the bow, saying : ' Frani is your name !' and the strong, 

 heavy hull began to glide so gently. I held her hand 

 tight ; the tears came into eyes and throat, and one 

 could not get out a word. The sturdy hull dived into 

 the glittering water; a sunny haze lay over the whole 

 picture. Never shall I forget the moment we stood 

 there together, looking out over the scene. And to think 

 of all that has happened these four last months ! Sepa- 

 rated by sea and land and ice ; coming years, too, ly- 

 ing between us — it is all just the continuation of what 

 happened that day. But how long is it to last } I 

 have such difficulty in feeling that I am not to see 



