安徒生童話:Ib and Little Christina 依卜和小克麗斯玎
Ib and Little Christina
by Hans Christian Andersen（1855）
IN the forest that extends from the banks of the Gudenau， in North Jutland， a long way into the country， and not far from the clear stream， rises a GREat ridge of land， which stretches through the wood like a wall. Westward of this ridge， and not far from the river， stands a farmhouse， surrounded by such poor land that the sandy soil shows itself between the scanty ears of rye and wheat which grow in it. Some years have passed since the people who lived here cultivated these fields； they kept three sheep， a pig， and two oxen； in fact they maintained themselves very well， they had quite enough to live upon， as people generally have who are content with their lot. They even could have afforded to keep two horses， but it was a saying among the farmers in those parts， “The horse eats himself up；” that is to say， he eats as much as he earns. Jeppe Jans cultivated his fields in summer， and in the winter he made wooden shoes. He also had an assistant， a lad who understood as well as he himself did how to make wooden shoes strong， but light， and in the fashion. They carved shoes and spoons， which paid well； therefore no one could justly call Jeppe Jans and his family poor people. Little Ib， a boy of seven years old and the only child， would sit by， watching the workmen， or cutting a stick， and sometimes his finger instead of the stick. But one day Ib succeeded so well in his carving that he made two pieces of wood look really like two little wooden shoes， and he determined to give them as a present to Little Christina.
“And who was Little Christina？” She was the boatman's daughter， graceful and delicate as the child of a gentleman； had she been dressed differently， no one would have believed that she lived in a hut on the neighboring heath with her father. He was a widower， and earned his living by carrying firewood in his large boat from the forest to the eel-pond and eel-weir， on the estate of Silkborg， and sometimes even to the distant town of Randers. There was no one under whose care he could leave Little Christina； so she was almost always with him in his boat， or playing in the wood among the blossoming heath， or picking the ripe wild berries. Sometimes， when her father had to go as far as the town， he would take Little Christina， who was a year younger than Ib， across the heath to the cottage of Jeppe Jans， and leave her there. Ib and Christina aGREed together in everything； they divided their bread and berries when they were hungry； they were partners in digging their little gardens； they ran， and crept， and played about everywhere. Once they wandered a long way into the forest， and even ventured together to climb the high ridge. Another time they found a few snipes' eggs in the wood， which was a great event. Ib had never been on the heath where Christina's father lived， nor on the river； but at last came an opportunity. Christina's father invited him to go for a sail in his boat； and the evening before， he accompanied the boatman across the heath to his house. The next morning early， the two children were placed on the top of a high pile of firewood in the boat， and sat eating bread and wild strawberries， while Christina's father and his man drove the boat forward with poles. They floated on swiftly， for the tide was in their favor， passing over lakes， formed by the stream in its course； sometimes they seemed quite enclosed by reeds and water-plants， yet there was always room for them to pass out， although the old trees overhung the water and the old oaks stretched out their bare branches， as if they had turned up their sleeves and wished to show their knotty， naked arms. Old alder-trees， whose roots were loosened from the banks， clung with their fibres to the bottom of the stream， and the tops of the branches above the water looked like little woody islands. The water-lilies waved themselves to and fro on the river， everything made the excursion beautiful， and at last they came to the great eel-weir， where the water rushed through the flood-gates； and the children thought this a beautiful sight. In those days there was no factory nor any town house， nothing but the great farm， with its scanty-bearing fields， in which could be seen a few herd of cattle， and one or two farm laborers. The rushing of the water through the sluices， and the scream of the wild ducks， were almost the only signs of active life at Silkborg. After the firewood had been unloaded， Christina's father bought a whole bundle of eels and a sucking-pig， which were all placed in a basket in the stern of the boat. Then they returned again up the stream； and as the wind was favorable， two sails were hoisted， which carried the boat on as well as if two horses had been harnessed to it. As they sailed on， they came by chance to the place where the boatman's assistant lived， at a little distance from the bank of the river. The boat was moored； and the two men， after desiring the children to sit still， both went on shore. they obeyed this order for a very short time， and then forgot it altogether. First they peeped into the basket containing the eels and the sucking-pig； then they must needs pull out the pig and take it in their hands， and feel it， and touch it； and as they both wanted to hold it at the same time， the consequence was that they let it fall into the water， and the pig sailed away with the stream.
Here was a terrible disaster. Ib jumped ashore， and ran a little distance from the boat.
“Oh， take me with you，” cried Christina； and she sprang after him. In a few minutes they found themselves deep in a thicket， and could no longer see the boat or the shore. They ran on a little farther， and then Christina fell down， and began to cry.
Ib helped her up， and said， “Never mind； follow me. Yonder is the house.” But the house was not yonder； and they wandered still farther， over the dry rustling leaves of the last year， and treading on fallen branches that crackled under their little feet； then they heard a loud， piercing cry， and they stood still to listen. Presently the scream of an eagle sounded through the wood； it was an ugly cry， and it frightened the children； but before them， in the thickest part of the forest， GREw the most beautiful blackberries， in wonderful quantities. They looked so inviting that the children could not help stopping； and they remained there so long eating， that their mouths and cheeks became quite black with the juice.
Presently they heard the frightful scream again， and Christina said， “We shall get into trouble about that pig.”
“Oh， never mind，” said Ib； “we will go home to my father's house. It is here in the wood.” So they went on， but the road led them out of the way； no house could be seen， it GREw dark， and the children were afraid. The solemn stillness that reigned around them was now and then broken by the shrill cries of the great horned owl and other birds that they knew nothing of. At last they both lost themselves in the thicket； Christina began to cry， and then Ib cried too； and， after weeping and lamenting for some time， they stretched themselves down on the dry leaves and fell asleep.
the sun was high in the heavens when the two children woke. They felt cold； but not far from their resting-place， on a hill， the sun was shining through the trees. They thought if they went there they should be warm， and Ib fancied he should be able to see his father's house from such a high spot. But they were far away from home now， in quite another part of the forest. They clambered to the top of the rising ground， and found themselves on the edge of a declivity， which sloped down to a clear transparent lake. GREat quantities of fish could be seen through the clear water， sparkling in the sun's rays； they were quite surprised when they came so suddenly upon such an unexpected sight.
Close to where they stood GREw a hazel-bush， covered with beautiful nuts. They soon gathered some， cracked them， and ate the fine young kernels， which were only just ripe. But there was another surprise and fright in store for them. Out of the thicket stepped a tall old woman， her face quite brown， and her hair of a deep shining black； the whites of her eyes glittered like a Moor's； on her back she carried a bundle， and in her hand a knotted stick. She was a gypsy. The children did not at first understand what she said. She drew out of her pocket three large nuts， in which she told them were hidden the most beautiful and lovely things in the world， for they were wishing nuts. Ib looked at her， and as she spoke so kindly， he took courage， and asked her if she would give him the nuts； and the woman gave them to him， and then gathered some more from the bushes for herself， quite a pocket full. Ib and Christina looked at the wishing nuts with wide open eyes.
“Is there in this nut a carriage， with a pair of horses？” asked Ib.
“Yes， there is a golden carriage， with two golden horses，” replied the woman.
“then give me that nut，” said Christina； so Ib gave it to her， and the strange woman tied up the nut for her in her handkerchief.
Ib held up another nut. “Is there， in this nut， a pretty little neckerchief like the one Christina has on her neck？” asked Ib.
“there are ten neckerchiefs in it，” she replied， “as well as beautiful dresses， stockings， and a hat and veil.”
“then I will have that one also，” said Christina； “and it is a pretty one too.” And then Ib gave her the second nut.
the third was a little black thing. “You may keep that one，” said Christina； “it is quite as pretty.”
“What is in it？” asked Ib.
“the best of all things for you，” replied the gypsy. So Ib held the nut very tight.
then the woman promised to lead the children to the right path， that they might find their way home： and they went forward certainly in quite another direction to the one they meant to take； therefore no one ought to speak against the woman， and say that she wanted to steal the children. In the wild wood-path they met a forester who knew Ib， and， by his help， Ib and Christina reached home， where they found every one had been very anxious about them. They were pardoned and forgiven， although they really had both done wrong， and deserved to get into trouble； first， because they had let the sucking-pig fall into the water； and， secondly， because they had run away. Christina was taken back to her father's house on the heath， and Ib remained in the farm-house on the borders of the wood， near the GREat land ridge.
the first thing Ib did that evening was to take out of his pocket the little black nut， in which the best thing of all was said to be enclosed. He laid it carefully between the door and the door-post， and then shut the door so that the nut cracked directly. But there was not much kernel to be seen； it was what we should call hollow or worm-eaten， and looked as if it had been filled with tobacco or rich black earth. “It is just what I expected！” exclaimed Ib. “How should there be room in a little nut like this for the best thing of all？ Christina will find her two nuts just the same； there will be neither fine clothes or a golden carriage in them.”
Winter came； and the new year， and indeed many years passed away； until Ib was old enough to be confirmed， and， therefore， he went during a whole winter to the clergyman of the nearest village to be prepared.
One day， about this time， the boatman paid a visit to Ib's parents， and told them that Christina was going to service， and that she had been remarkably fortunate in obtaining a good place， with most respectable people. “Only think，” he said， “She is going to the rich innkeeper's， at the hotel in Herning， many miles west from here. She is to assist the landlady in the housekeeping； and， if afterwards she behaves well and remains to be confirmed， the people will treat her as their own daughter.”
So Ib and Christina took leave of each other. People already called them “the betrothed，” and at parting the girl showed Ib the two nuts， which she had taken care of ever since the time that they lost themselves in the wood； and she told him also that the little wooden shoes he once carved for her when he was a boy， and gave her as a present， had been carefully kept in a drawer ever since. And so they parted.
After Ib's confirmation， he remained at home with his mother， for he had become a clever shoemaker， and in summer managed the farm for her quite alone. His father had been dead some time， and his mother kept no farm servants. Sometimes， but very seldom， he heard of Christina， through a postillion or eel-seller who was passing. But she was well off with the rich innkeeper； and after being confirmed she wrote a letter to her father， in which was a kind message to Ib and his mother. In this letter， she mentioned that her master and mistress had made her a present of a beautiful new dress， and some nice under-clothes. This was， of course， pleasant news.
One day， in the following spring， there came a knock at the door of the house where Ib's old mother lived； and when they opened it， lo and behold， in stepped the boatman and Christina. She had come to pay them a visit， and to spend the day. A carriage had to come from the Herning hotel to the next village， and she had taken the opportunity to see her friends once more. She looked as elegant as a real lady， and wore a pretty dress， beautifully made on purpose for her. There she stood， in full dress， while Ib wore only his working clothes. He could not utter a word； he could only seize her hand and hold it fast in his own， but he felt too happy and glad to open his lips. Christina， however， was quite at her ease； she talked and talked， and kissed him in the most friendly manner. Even afterwards， when they were left alone， and she asked， “Did you know me again， Ib？” he still stood holding her hand， and said at last， “You are become quite a grand lady， Christina， and I am only a rough working man； but I have often thought of you and of old times.” Then they wandered up the GREat ridge， and looked across the stream to the heath， where the little hills were covered with the flowering broom. Ib said nothing； but before the time came for them to part， it became quite clear to him that Christina must be his wife： had they not even in childhood been called the betrothed？ To him it seemed as if they were really engaged to each other， although not a word had been spoken on the subject. They had only a few more hours to remain together， for Christina was obliged to return that evening to the neighboring village， to be ready for the carriage which was to start the next morning early for Herning. Ib and her father accompanied her to the village. It was a fine moonlight evening； and when they arrived， Ib stood holding Christina's hand in his， as if he could not let her go. His eyes brightened， and the words he uttered came with hesitation from his lips， but from the deepest recesses of his heart： “Christina， if you have not become too grand， and if you can be contented to live in my mother's house as my wife， we will be married some day. But we can wait for a while.”
“Oh yes，” she replied； “Let us wait a little longer， Ib. I can trust you， for I believe that I do love you. But let me think it over.” then he kissed her lips； and so they parted.
On the way home， Ib told the boatman that he and Christina were as good as engaged to each other； and the boatman found out that he had always expected it would be so， and went home with Ib that evening， and remained the night in the farmhouse； but nothing further was said of the engagement. During the next year， two letters passed between Ib and Christina. They were signed， “Faithful till death；” but at the end of that time， one day the boatman came over to see Ib， with a kind GREeting from Christina. He had something else to say， which made him hesitate in a strange manner. At last it came out that Christina， who had grown a very pretty girl， was more lucky than ever. She was courted and admired by every one； but her master's son， who had been home on a visit， was so much pleased with Christina that he wished to marry her. He had a very good situation in an office at Copenhagen， and as she had also taken a liking for him， his parents were not unwilling to consent. But Christina， in her heart， often thought of Ib， and knew how much he thought of her； so she felt inclined to refuse this good fortune， added the boatman. At first Ib said not a word， but he became as white as the wall， and shook his head gently， and then he spoke，—“Christina must not refuse this good fortune.”
“then will you write a few words to her？” said the boatman.
Ib sat down to write， but he could not get on at all. the words were not what he wished to say， so he tore up the page. The following morning， however， a letter lay ready to be sent to Christina， and the following is what he wrote：—
“the letter written by you to your father I have read， and see from it that you are prosperous in everything， and that still better fortune is in store for you. Ask your own heart， Christina， and think over carefully what awaits you if you take me for your husband， for I possess very little in the world. Do not think of me or of my position； think only of your own welfare. You are bound to me by no promises； and if in your heart you have given me one， I release you from it. May every blessing and happiness be poured out upon you， Christina. Heaven will give me the heart's consolation.
離古德諾河1不遠，在西爾克堡森林裏面，有一個土丘從地面上凸出來了，像一個球。人們管它叫“背脊”。在這高地下面朝西一點有一間小小的農舍，它的周圍全是貧瘠的土地；在那稀疏的燕麥和小麥中間，隱隱地現出了沙子。
1古德諾（Gudena）河是丹麥最長的一條河，全長300多裏。
現在許多年已經過去了。住在這兒的人耕種着他們的一點兒田地，還養了三頭羊、一頭豬和兩頭公牛。簡單地說，只要他們滿足於自己所有的東西，他們的食物可以說夠吃了。的確，他們還可以節省點錢買兩匹馬；可是，像附近一帶別的農人一樣，他們說，“馬兒把自己吃光了”——它們能生產多少，就吃掉多少。
耶布·演斯在夏天耕他的那點地。在冬天他就成了一個能幹的做木鞋的人。他還有一個助手——一個年輕人，這人知道怎樣把木鞋做得結實、輕巧和漂亮。他們雕出木鞋和杓子，而這些東西都能賺錢。所以人們不能把耶布·演斯這一家人叫做窮人。
小小的依卜是一個七歲的男孩子，是這家的獨生子。他常常坐在旁邊，看別人削着木頭，也削着自己的木頭。不過有一天他刻好了兩塊木頭，刻得像一雙小木鞋的樣子。他說要把它們送給小克麗斯玎。她是一個船伕的小女兒，長得很秀氣和嬌嫩，像一位紳士的孩子。如果她的衣服配得上她的樣子，那麼誰也不會以爲她就是塞歇得荒地上茅屋裏的一個孩子。她的父親住在那兒。他的妻子已經死了。他生活的來源是靠用他的大船裝運柴火，從森林裏運到西爾克堡的鱔魚堰，有時也從這兒運到較遠的蘭得爾斯。沒有甚麼人來照料比依卜只小一歲的克麗斯玎，因此這孩子就老是跟他一起在船裏，在荒地上，或在伏牛花灌木叢裏玩耍。當他要到像蘭得爾斯那麼遠的地方去的時候，小小的克麗斯玎就到耶布·演斯家裏去。
依卜和克麗斯玎在一起玩，一起吃飯，非常要好。他們一起掘土和挖土，他們爬着，走着。有一天他們居然大膽地跑到“背脊”上，走進一個樹林裏去了。他們甚至還找到了幾個沙錐鳥蛋——這真是一樁了不起的事情。
依卜從來沒有到塞歇得去過；他也從來沒有乘過船在古德諾沿岸的小湖上航行。現在他要做這事情了：克麗斯玎的父親請他去，並且還要帶他一起到家裏去過夜。
第二天大清早，這兩個孩子高高地坐在船上的一堆木柴上，吃着麵包和山莓。船伕和他的助手撐着船。船是順着水在河上航行，穿過這些平時好像是被樹木和蘆葦封鎖住了的湖泊，而且行走得很快。即使有許多老樹在水面上垂得很低，他們仍然可以找到空處滑過去。許多老棟樹垂下光赤的枝丫，好像捲起了袖子，要把節節疤疤的光手臂露出來似的。許多老赤楊樹被水流衝擊着；樹根緊緊抓住河底不放，看起來就像長滿了樹木的小島。睡蓮在河中搖動着。這真是一趟可愛的旅行！最後他們來到了鱔角堰。水在這兒從水閘裏衝出去。
這纔是一件值得依卜和克麗斯玎看的東西哩！
在那個時候，這兒沒有甚麼工廠，也沒有甚麼城鎮。這兒只有一個老農莊，裏面養的家畜也不多，水沖出閘口的聲音和野鴨的叫聲，算是唯一有生物存在的標記。木柴卸下來以後，克麗斯玎的父親就買了滿滿一籃鱔魚和一隻殺好了的小豬。他把這些東西都裝在一個籃子裏，放到船尾上，然後就逆流而上，往回走，但是他們卻遇到了順風。當船帆一張起來的時候，這船就好像有兩匹馬在拉着似的。
他們來到一個樹林邊，離那個助手住的地方只有一小段路。助手領着克麗斯玎的父親走到岸上去。同時叫孩子們不要鬧，當心出亂子。不過這兩個孩子聽話並沒有多久。他們想看看籃子裏裝着的鱔魚和那隻小豬。他們把那隻小豬拖出來，抱在懷裏。當他們兩個人搶着要抱它的時候，卻失手掉進水裏去了。於是這隻小豬就順流而下——這纔可怕啊。
依卜跳到岸上去。在岸上跑了一段路；小克麗斯玎在後面跟着他跑。“帶着我一道呀！”她喊着。不一會兒，他們就跑進一個樹林裏去了。他們再也看不到船，也看不到河。他們更向前跑了一段路。克麗斯玎跌到地上，開始哭起來。依卜把她扶起來。“跟着我來吧！”他說。“屋子就在那兒。”但是屋子並不在那兒。他們無目的地走着。在枯葉上走，在落下的乾枯的枝子上走——這些枝子在他們的小腳下發出碎裂的聲音。這時他們聽到了一個尖銳的叫聲，他們站着靜聽，立刻就聽到一隻蒼蠅的尖叫聲。這是一種難聽的聲音，使他們非常害怕。不過在這濃密的樹林中，他們看到面前長滿了非常可愛的越橘，數量真是不少。這實在太吸引人了，他們不得不停下來，於是就停下來，吃了許多，把嘴脣和臉都染青了。這時他們又聽到一個尖叫聲。“那隻豬丟了，我們要捱打的！”克麗斯玎說。“我們回到家裏去吧！”依卜說。“家就在這樹林裏呀。”
於是他們便向前走。他們來到了一條大路上，但是這條路並不通到家。夜幕也降下來了。他們害怕起來。有角的貓頭鷹的怪叫聲和其他鳥兒的聲音，把周圍一片奇怪的靜寂打破了。最後他們兩人在一個灌木林邊停下來。克麗斯玎哭起來，依卜也哭起來。他們哭了一陣以後，就在幹葉子上倒下來，熟睡了。
當這兩個小孩子醒來的時候，太陽已經爬得很高了。他們感到很冷。不過在旁邊一個小山上的樹林裏，已經有太陽光射進來。他們可以到那兒去暖和一下。依卜還以爲從那兒他們就可以看到他爸爸的屋子。然而事實上他們卻是離得非常遠，相隔整個樹林。
他們向小山頂上爬去。他們站在一個斜坡上，旁邊有一個清亮的、透明的湖。魚兒在成羣地遊，太陽光把它們照得發亮。他們從來沒有看到過這樣的景象。在他們的近旁有一個大灌木林，上面結滿了榛子，甚至還有七紮成串的榛子。他們把榛子摘下來敲碎，挖出裏面細嫩的、剛剛長成形的核仁。
不過另外還有一件驚人可怕的事情發生了。
從這叢林裏面，走出了一個高大的老女人；她的面孔是棕色的；頭髮烏黑，並且發着光；白眼珠閃亮着，像非洲摩爾人的白眼珠一樣。她揹着一捆東西，手上拿着一根有許多疙瘩的棍子。她是一個吉卜賽人。這兩個孩子不能馬上聽懂她講的話。她從衣袋裏取出三顆榛子，告訴他們說，這些榛子裏藏着最美麗又最可愛的東西，因爲它們是希望之果。
依卜望着她。她是非常和善的。所以他就鼓起勇氣，問她能不能把這些果子給他。這女人給了他，然後又從樹上摘了一些，裝了滿滿的一袋。
依卜和克麗斯玎睜着大眼睛，望着這希望之果。“這果子裏有一輛馬拉的車子沒有？”依卜問。“有，有一輛金馬拉的金車子。”女人回答說。“那麼就請把這果子給我吧！”小克麗斯玎說。
依卜把果子給她，女人就替她把果子包在圍巾裏面。“果子裏面有一塊像克麗斯玎那樣的美麗的小圍巾嗎？”
依卜問。“那裏面有10塊圍巾，”女人回答說。“還有美麗的衣服、襪子和帽子。”“那麼這隻果子我也要。”小克麗斯玎說。
於是依卜把第二個果子也給了她。第三個是一個小小的黑東西。“你把這個自己留下吧！”克麗斯玎說。“它也是很可愛的。”“它裏面有甚麼東西呢？”依卜問。“你所喜歡的最好的東西。”吉卜賽女人說。
依卜緊緊地握着這果子。女人答應把他們領到回家的正確的路上去。現在他們向前走，但是恰恰走到和正路相反的方向去了。我們可不能說她想拐走這兩個孩子啊。在這荒野的山路上，他們遇到了守山人克林。他認得依卜。靠了他的幫助，依卜和克麗斯玎終於回到家裏來了。家裏的人正在爲他們擔憂。他們終於得到了寬恕，雖然他們應該結結實實地挨一頓打纔對：因爲第一，他們把那隻小豬掉到水裏去了；第二，他們溜走了。
克麗斯玎回到荒地上的家裏去；依卜依舊住在樹林邊的那個農莊裏。晚間他要做的第一件事，就是從衣袋裏取出那個果子——據說裏面藏着“最好的東西”。他小心地把它放在門和門框中間，使勁地把門關一下，果子便被軋碎了。可是裏面一點核仁也沒有。只有一堆好像鼻菸或者黑色的沃土似的東西——這就是我們所謂蟲蛀了的果子。“是的，這跟我所想到的恰恰差不離，”依卜說。“這麼一個小果子裏怎麼能裝得下世界上最好的東西呢？克麗斯玎也不會在她的兩個果子裏找到美麗的衣服或金車子！”
冬天到來了，新年也開始了。
好幾年過去了。依卜現在要受堅信禮了，而他住的地方卻離開牧師很遠。在這期間，有一天，那個船伕來看依卜的爸爸和媽媽，告訴他們說，克麗斯玎現在快要去幫人做活了；還說她真是運氣，在一個非常好的主人家裏找到了一個職業。請想想看吧！她將要到西部赫爾寧縣去幫一個有錢的旅店老闆。她先幫助女主人照料旅店。如果她做得好，一直做到受堅信禮的時候，主人就可以把她留下來。
於是依卜和克麗斯玎就互相道別了。大家把他們叫做一對情人。在分手的時候，她拿給他看，她還得保存着那兩顆果子。這是當他們在樹林裏迷路的時候他送給她的。她還告訴他說，他在兒時親手雕成、作爲禮物送給她的那雙木鞋，她仍然保存在衣箱裏，接着他們就分手了。
依卜受了堅信禮，但是他仍然住在母親的屋子裏，因爲他已經是一個能幹的木鞋匠，在夏天他同時也可以照顧田裏的工作。他的母親找不到別人做這些事情，因爲他的父親已經死了。
他只有偶爾從路過的送信人或捉鱔魚的人口中聽到一點關於克麗斯玎的消息：她在那個富有的店老闆家裏生活得很好。她受了堅信禮以後，曾經寫過一封信給她的父親，也問候了依卜和他的母親，信裏還提到她從她的男主人和女主人那裏得到了六件襯衫和一件新衣。這的確是一個好消息。
在第二年春天一個暖和的日子裏，依卜和老母親聽到一陣敲門聲，這就是那個船伕和克麗斯玎。她要來玩一整天。她是利用到德姆來回一次的機會來拜訪的。她長得很漂亮，簡直像一位小姐；她穿着美麗的衣服——做得很好，恰恰適合她的身材。她站在他面前，非常大方；而依卜卻只穿着平時的工作服。他一句話也講不出來；當然啦，他握着她的手，握得很緊，而且衷心地感到快樂；不過他沒有辦法講出話來。克麗斯玎倒是一點也不感到拘束。她談着話——她纔會講呢。她還直截了當地在依卜的嘴脣上吻了一下。“你真的不認識我嗎？”她問。不過當只有他們兩人在屋子裏的時候，他仍然只是握着她的手站着。他只能說出這幾句話：“你真像一位小姐！但我是這麼粗笨。我多麼想念你啊，克麗斯玎！多麼想念過去的日子啊！”
他們手挽着手走到那個山脊上，朝古德諾河、塞歇得和那長滿了石南屬植物的兩岸眺望。但是依卜一句話也不說。當他們快要分手的時候，他十分清楚地覺得克麗斯玎應該成爲他的妻子。的確，他們在小時候就被人稱爲一對情人。他覺得彷彿他們真正訂過婚似的，雖然他們誰也沒有談起這事情。
他們現在只有幾小時可以在一起了，因爲克麗斯玎要到德姆去，以便第二天大清早搭車子回到西部去。她的父親和依卜一直把她送到德姆。這是一個晴朗的月夜。當他們到了終點的時候，依卜仍然握着克麗斯玎的手，簡直鬆不開。他的眼睛閃着光，但是話語來到嘴脣邊就縮回去了。當他終於說出來的時候，那完全是從他心的深處說出來的話：“克麗斯玎，如果你沒有變得那麼闊氣，”他說，“如果你能住在我母親家裏，成爲我的妻子，那麼我們兩人就有一天會結爲夫婦了。不過我們還可以等一些時候！”“是的，我們等些時候看吧，依卜！”她說。於是她就握了他的手；她也吻了他的嘴脣。“我相信你，依卜，”克麗斯玎說，“我想我也喜歡你——但是我得想一想！”
於是他們就分了手。依卜告訴船伕說，他和克麗斯玎是那麼要好，簡直像是訂過婚一樣。於是船伕就說，他一直希望有這樣的結果。他和依卜一起回到家來；這天晚上他和這個年輕人睡在一個牀上，他們已經不再討論訂婚問題了。
一年過去了。依卜和克麗斯玎通過兩封信。在他們簽名的前面，總是寫着這幾個字：“永遠忠誠，一直到死！”
有一天船伕來看依卜，轉達克麗斯玎的問候。他接着要說的話，卻是頗有點吞吞吐吐的，但是它的內容不外是：克麗斯玎一切都好，不僅僅好，而且還成了一個美麗的姑娘，有許多人追求她，有許多人愛她。主人的少爺曾經回家住過些時候。他在哥本哈根一個很大的機關裏工作；他非常喜歡克麗斯玎，而她對他也發生了感情，他的父母也並沒有表示不願意；不過克麗斯玎的心裏覺得非常沉重，因爲依卜曾經那麼愛她；因此她也想過，要放棄她的這種幸運——這是船伕說的話。
起初依卜一句話也不說，但是他的面色卻像白布一樣慘白。他輕輕地搖了搖頭，然後慢慢地說：“克麗斯玎不應該放棄她的幸運！”“那麼就請你寫幾句話給她吧！”船伕說。
依卜於是就坐下來寫，不過出乎他意料之外，他不能把自己的話語聯成句子。他開始塗塗改改，然後把整張紙撕掉了。不過到第二天早晨，信終於寫好了，準備送給克麗斯玎。
全文是這樣的：
你給你父親的信我也讀到了。從信中我知道你的一切都好，而且還會更好。克麗斯玎，請你捫心自問，仔細地想一想，如果你接受我做你的丈夫，你將會得到甚麼結果。我實在是太寒磣了。請你不要爲我和我的處境着想，而要爲你自己的利益着想。你對我沒有任何諾言的約束。如果你在心裏曾經對我作過諾言，我願意爲你解除這個負擔。願世上一切的快樂都屬於你，克麗斯玎，上帝將會安慰我的心！
你永遠忠實的朋友依卜這封信送出去了，克麗斯玎也收到了。
在11月裏，她的結婚預告在荒地上的那個教堂裏，和在新郎所住的哥本哈根同時發表出來了。於是她便跟她的女主人一起旅行到哥本哈根去，因爲新郎有許多事情要辦，不能回到遙遠的尤蘭來。克麗斯玎在途中要經過一個小鎮芬德爾，她在這兒會見了她的父親。這是離他最近的一個地點。他們在這裏互相告別。
這件事情曾經有人提起過；但是依卜不感到甚麼興趣。他的老母親說他這些時好像很有心事的樣子。的確，他很有心事，他心裏想起了他小時候從一個吉卜賽女人那兒得到的三顆榛子——其中兩顆他已經給了克麗斯玎。這是希望之果。在她的那兩顆果子裏，有一顆藏着金車子和馬，另一顆藏着最漂亮的衣服。現在成爲事實了！在京城哥本哈根，一切華貴的東西她現在都有了。關於她的那一份預言現在已經實現了！
依卜的那顆果子裏只有一撮黑土。那個吉卜賽女人曾經說過，這是他所得到的“最好的東西”。是的，這現在也成爲事實了！黑土是他所能得到的最好的東西。現在他懂得了那個女人的意思：他的最好的東西是在黑土裏，在墳墓的深處。
許多年過去了——年數雖然不太多，但依卜卻覺得很長。
那對年老的旅店主人，先後都去世了。他們全部的財產——幾千塊錢——都歸他們的兒子所有了。是的，現在克麗斯玎可以有金車子和許多漂亮的衣服。
在隨後的兩年內，克麗斯玎沒有寫信回去。當她父親最後接到她的一封信的時候，那不是在興盛和快樂中寫的。可憐的克麗斯玎！她和她的丈夫都不知道怎樣節約使用這筆財富。它來得容易，去得也容易。它沒有帶來幸福，因爲他們自己不希望有幸福。
石楠花開了，又謝了。雪花在塞歇得荒地上，在山脊上，飄過了好幾次。在這山脊下，依卜住在一塊風吹不到的地方。
春天的太陽照得非常明朗；有一天當依卜正在犁地的時候，犁忽然在一塊類似燧石的東西上面犁過去了。這時有一堆像刨花的黑東西從土裏冒出來。當依卜把它拿起來的時候，發現這原來是一塊金屬品。那塊被犁頭劃開的地方，現在閃出耀眼的光來。這原來是異教徒時代留下的一個大臂釧。他翻動了一座古墓；現在它裏面的財寶被他發現了。依卜把他所發現的東西拿給牧師看。牧師把它的價值解釋給他聽，然後他就到當地的法官那兒去。法官把這發現報告給哥本哈根的當局，同時勸他親自送去。“你在土裏找到了最好的東西！”法官說。“最好的東西！”依卜想。“我所能得到的最好的東西，而且是在土裏找到的！如果說這是最好的東西的話，那麼那個吉卜賽女人對我所作的預言是兌現了！”
於是依卜從奧湖斯1乘船到皇家的哥本哈根去。他以前只渡過古德諾河，所以這次旅行，對於他說來，等於橫渡一次大洋。
1奧湖斯（Aarhus）是丹麥的第二個大城市。從這兒到哥本哈根去，要坐八個鐘頭的海船。這對於丹麥人說來，是最長的一段旅程。
他到了哥本哈根。
他所發現的金子的價錢，當局都付清給他了。這是一筆很大的數目——600塊錢。從塞歇得荒地上樹林中來的依卜，現在可以在這熱鬧的大首都散步了。
有一天，在他要跟船長回到奧湖斯去以前，他在街上迷了路；他所走的路，跟他所應該走的方向完全相反。他走過克尼伯爾橋，跑到克利斯仙哈文的郊區來，而沒有向西門的城垣走去。他的確是在向西走，但是卻沒有走到他應去的地方。這兒一個人也看不見。最後有一個很小的女孩子從一間破爛的屋子裏走出來了。依卜向這孩子問他所要尋找的那條街。她怔了一下，朝他看了一眼，接着放聲大哭。他問她爲甚麼難過，但是他聽不懂她回答的話。他們來到一個路燈下面，燈光正照在她的臉上。他感到非常奇怪，因爲這簡直是活生生的克麗斯玎在他面前出現，跟他所能記起的她兒時的那副樣兒完全一樣。
他跟着小姑娘走進那個破爛的屋子裏去，爬上一段狹窄破爛的樓梯——它通到頂樓上的一個小房間。這兒的空氣是渾濁悶人的，燈光也沒有；從一個小牆角里，飄來一陣歎息聲和急促的呼吸聲。依卜劃了一根火柴。這孩子的媽媽躺在一張破爛的牀上。“有甚麼事需要我幫忙嗎？”依卜問。“小姑娘把我帶到這兒來，不過我在這個城裏是一個生人。你有甚麼鄰居或朋友需要我去替你找來嗎？”
於是他就把這生病的女人的頭扶起來。
這原來就是在塞歇得荒地上長大的克麗斯玎！
在尤蘭的家裏，許多年來沒有人提起過她的名字，爲的是怕攪亂了依卜的平靜的心情。關於她的一些傳說的確也是不太好。事實的真相是：她的丈夫自從繼承了他父母的那筆財產以後，變得自高自大，胡作非爲。他放棄了可靠的工作，跑到外國去旅行了半年；回來的時候，已經負了一身債，但他仍然過着奢侈的生活。正如古話所說的，車子一步一步傾斜，最後完全翻掉了。他的許多逢場作戲的酒肉朋友都說他活該如此，因爲他生活得完全像一個瘋子。有一天早晨，人們在皇家花園的河裏發現了他的屍體。
死神的手已經擱在克麗斯玎的頭上了。她在幸福中盼望的、但在愁苦中出生的最小的孩子，生下來不到幾個星期就進入了墳墓。現在臨到克麗斯玎本人了。她病得要死，沒有人照料；她躺在一個破爛的房間裏，這種貧困，她小時候住在塞歇得荒地上，可能忍受得下來，但是現在卻使她感到痛苦，因爲她已經習慣於富裕的生活了。現在跟她一塊兒捱餓受窮的，是她的最大的孩子——也是一個小小的克麗斯玎。就是她領依卜進來的。“我恐怕快要死了，留下這個孤單的孩子！”她歎了一口氣。“她將怎樣在這個世界上生活下去呢？”別的話她一句也說不出來。
依卜又划着了一根火柴，找到了一根蠟燭頭。他把它點着，照亮這個破爛的住房。
依卜看了看這個小女孩，於是他就想起了克麗斯玎年輕時候的那副樣兒。他覺得，爲了克麗斯玎的緣故，他應該愛這個孩子，雖然他並不認識她。那個垂死的女人在凝望着他：她的眼睛越睜越大——難道她認識他嗎？他不知道，他也沒有聽見她說一句甚麼話。
這是在古德諾河旁的樹林裏，離塞歇得荒地不遠。空氣很陰沉，石楠花已經謝了。狂暴的西風把樹林裏的黃葉吹到河裏，吹到荒地上。在這個荒地上的茅屋裏，現在住着陌生的人。但是在那個山脊下，在許多大樹下邊的一個避風的處所，有一個小小的農莊。它粉刷和油漆一新。屋子裏，泥炭在爐子裏燒着。屋子裏現在有了太陽光——從小孩子的一雙眼睛裏發出的太陽光。笑語聲，像春天雲雀的調子，從這孩子鮮紅的嘴脣上流露出來。她坐在依卜的膝上；他是她的父親，也是她的母親，因爲她的父母，像孩子和成年人的夢一樣，也都消逝了。依卜坐在乾淨漂亮的房子裏，現在是一個幸福的人；但是這個小女孩子的母親卻躺在京城哥本哈根的窮人公墓裏。
人們說，依卜的箱子底上藏有錢——從黑土裏獲得的金子。他還獲得了一個小小的克麗斯玎。
（1855年）
這篇故事發表在安徒生的《故事集》第二版裏，實際上是寫於1853年作者在丹麥西爾克堡市旅行的時候。那時他的心情很不好。他在手記中這樣寫道：“我的心情很沉重，不能做甚麼工作，但我寫了一個小故事——寫得還不壞，不過裏面沒有甚麼太陽光，因爲我自己心裏也沒有。”這個小故事描寫的是人世滄桑，也可能與他個人的愛情不幸有某些聯繫——他少年時代曾經熱戀過一個名叫伏格德的村女，而無結果。這正是他進入了中年以後的作品，像《柳樹下的夢》一樣，幻想和浪漫主義氣氛減退了，現實主義成爲他的主要特徵。他的創作正式進入了一個新時期。
