thirstier they became and when they left

they had to fill their bucket and

bring some along so as not to become dehydrated

on their way home. –––

Well Christmas is stupefying and I have nothing

to write about – all we do is eat and

drink and sleep like the

old man from Jølster who complained that

we don’t celebrate Christmas like we did in the old

days – well things were different then

he said “back then we ate so much and we drank so much

that we could barely stand upright”

And Engel is tempting me a reputed

“vegetarian” with cured mutton tongue, quail

and black grouse, so that I completely stuff myself.

Engel and the children send their greetings to you

and thank you warmly

Your

Nikolai

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