the doctor’s adventure. 123 
account of his last night’s reception at the farm, that I 
was almost tempted to bundle tent and beds down the 
throat of our irritable friend Strokr, and throw myself 
for the future upon the hospitality of the inhabitants. 
It is true, I had read in Van Troil of something of the 
kind, but until now I never fully believed it. The 
Doctor, however, shall tell his own history. 
“No sooner,” said he, “had I presented myself at 
the door, and made known my errand, than I was imme¬ 
diately welcomed by the whole family, and triumphantly 
inducted into the guest quarters: everything the house 
could produce was set before me, and the whole society 
stood by to see that I enjoyed myself. As I had but 
just dined, an additional repast was no longer essential 
to my happiness; but all explanation was useless, 
and I did my best to give them satisfaction. Imme¬ 
diately on rising from the table, the young lady of the 
house— (old Van Troil says it is either the mother or the 
daughter of the house, if she be grown up, who performs 
this office)—proposed by signs to conduct me to my 
apartment; taking in one hand a large plate of skier, 
and in the other a bottle of brandy, she led the way 
through a passage built of turf and stones to the place 
