KISSES. 
79 
With a simple frankness that became her more than 
all the boarding-school graces in the world, her eyes 
dancing with mischief and good humour, she met him 
half way, and pouting out two rosy lips, gave him as 
hearty a kiss as it might ever be the good fortune of 
one of us he-creatures to receive. From that moment 
I determined to conform for the future to the customs of 
the inhabitants. 
Fresh from favours such as these, it was not 
surprising we should start in the highest spirits. 
With a courtesy peculiar to Iceland, Dr. Hjaltelin, 
the most jovial of doctors,—and another gentleman, 
insisted on convoying us the first dozen miles of our 
journey; and as we clattered away through the wooden 
streets, I think a merrier party never set out from 
Eeykjavik. In front scampered the three spare ponies, 
without bridles, saddles, or any sense of moral responsi¬ 
bility, flinging up their heels, biting and neighing like 
mad things; then came Sigurdr, now become our chief, 
surrounded by the rest of the cavalcade ; and finally, at 
a little distance, plunged in profound melancholy, rode 
Wilson. Never shall I forget his appearance. During 
the night his head had come partially straight, but by 
