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Authors: Viktor Arnar Ingólfsson
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asked.
“Nothing more than the usual. But it provided good companionship, and that’s what he sought more than the praying, I think. His childhood friend, Reverend Ingimar, is chairman of the society. You will, of course, speak with him.”
“Who inherits from Jacob Junior?” Halldór asked, returning to the previous line of questioning.
“I am not familiar with the contents of the will,” replied Matthías. “His sister Kirsten would be the principal heir, and I suspect that young Elísabet will inherit something. She is the only descendant of the family. Sveinborg the housekeeper also deserves to be remembered. She has probably not been paid much in recent years, poor woman.”
Halldór leafed back through his notebook and examined the notes he had made.
“You say you live in Austria, sir,” he said.
“Yes,” Matthías replied. “I have been a member of a string quartet in Salzburg for many years. I retired this fall as I have not been very well, and am, consequently, sorting out my financial affairs.”
“Are you planning to live here in Iceland?” Halldór asked.
“No. I rented a furnished apartment for a few weeks while these matters are being settled. Then I shall return home. I have lived in Europe since I was twenty-five years old and the climate here does not suit me.”
Halldór pondered how to proceed. There was an awkward silence, and then Erlendur, still sitting on the little desk, cleared his throat and said, “I happen to be going to Austria this Saturday, on a ski trip with the family.”
“Where will you be going?” Matthías asked.
“A place called Zell am See.”
“A lovely town. Admittedly I have only been there in summer, but I understand that the valley and the lake are just as beautiful in winter. I know nothing about skiing, however. You should try and spend a day in Salzburg; it’s not far from there.”
Jóhann stuck his head in the door. “Halldór,” he said, interrupting them, “it’s Hrefna on the phone for you. She wants to speak to you. It’s important.”
Halldór stood up and joined Jóhann in the corridor, leaving Erlendur alone with Matthías. Halldór had the feeling Erlendur would use this opportunity to find out more about Salzburg and Austria.
Diary II
January 27, 1913. Went by myself to Thorvaldsens Museum, where I remained the best part of the day. In my life’s work I must remember that structures should above all enhance the environment and reflect favorably on the designer. It is not enough to build robustly if the result offends one’s fellow citizens’ sense of beauty. Studying such works of art as are here on display must increase one’s feeling for the form and balance of objects, small and large…
March 5, 1913. Had a letter from Elizabeth to which I shall reply immediately. Mrs. Heger does not approve of this correspondence; she maintains that the English will muddle my German…
March 21, 1913. Had a letter from my father. He says a railway is being laid in connection with the building of the harbor in Reykjavik, to transport stone from Öskjuhlíd down to the shore. I am writing back to ask him for further information on this railway and the locomotives…
April 2, 1913. Went with Helgi to the pawn shop to redeem his best trousers for him. He promises to pay me back when the residence grant is paid out…
May 17, 1913. Elizabeth writes and welcomes my idea of visiting her in my summer vacation…
June 5, 1913. A letter arrives from my father with information on the railway in Reykjavik. There are two locomotives: Pionér, built by Arnold Jung in Germany in 1892; and Minør, built by Jungenthal in Bei Kirchen in Germany the same year. The gauge is 90 cm…
June 6, 1913. The final BSc examinations are imminent. I shall miss this college, but I nevertheless feel certain that my decision to go to Berlin is the right one…
H ave you worked for these people for long?” Hrefna had resumed her questioning of Sveinborg, wanting
“Nothing more than the usual. But it provided good companionship, and that’s what he sought more than the praying, I think. His childhood friend, Reverend Ingimar, is chairman of the society. You will, of course, speak with him.”
“Who inherits from Jacob Junior?” Halldór asked, returning to the previous line of questioning.
“I am not familiar with the contents of the will,” replied Matthías. “His sister Kirsten would be the principal heir, and I suspect that young Elísabet will inherit something. She is the only descendant of the family. Sveinborg the housekeeper also deserves to be remembered. She has probably not been paid much in recent years, poor woman.”
Halldór leafed back through his notebook and examined the notes he had made.
“You say you live in Austria, sir,” he said.
“Yes,” Matthías replied. “I have been a member of a string quartet in Salzburg for many years. I retired this fall as I have not been very well, and am, consequently, sorting out my financial affairs.”
“Are you planning to live here in Iceland?” Halldór asked.
“No. I rented a furnished apartment for a few weeks while these matters are being settled. Then I shall return home. I have lived in Europe since I was twenty-five years old and the climate here does not suit me.”
Halldór pondered how to proceed. There was an awkward silence, and then Erlendur, still sitting on the little desk, cleared his throat and said, “I happen to be going to Austria this Saturday, on a ski trip with the family.”
“Where will you be going?” Matthías asked.
“A place called Zell am See.”
“A lovely town. Admittedly I have only been there in summer, but I understand that the valley and the lake are just as beautiful in winter. I know nothing about skiing, however. You should try and spend a day in Salzburg; it’s not far from there.”
Jóhann stuck his head in the door. “Halldór,” he said, interrupting them, “it’s Hrefna on the phone for you. She wants to speak to you. It’s important.”
Halldór stood up and joined Jóhann in the corridor, leaving Erlendur alone with Matthías. Halldór had the feeling Erlendur would use this opportunity to find out more about Salzburg and Austria.
Diary II
January 27, 1913. Went by myself to Thorvaldsens Museum, where I remained the best part of the day. In my life’s work I must remember that structures should above all enhance the environment and reflect favorably on the designer. It is not enough to build robustly if the result offends one’s fellow citizens’ sense of beauty. Studying such works of art as are here on display must increase one’s feeling for the form and balance of objects, small and large…
March 5, 1913. Had a letter from Elizabeth to which I shall reply immediately. Mrs. Heger does not approve of this correspondence; she maintains that the English will muddle my German…
March 21, 1913. Had a letter from my father. He says a railway is being laid in connection with the building of the harbor in Reykjavik, to transport stone from Öskjuhlíd down to the shore. I am writing back to ask him for further information on this railway and the locomotives…
April 2, 1913. Went with Helgi to the pawn shop to redeem his best trousers for him. He promises to pay me back when the residence grant is paid out…
May 17, 1913. Elizabeth writes and welcomes my idea of visiting her in my summer vacation…
June 5, 1913. A letter arrives from my father with information on the railway in Reykjavik. There are two locomotives: Pionér, built by Arnold Jung in Germany in 1892; and Minør, built by Jungenthal in Bei Kirchen in Germany the same year. The gauge is 90 cm…
June 6, 1913. The final BSc examinations are imminent. I shall miss this college, but I nevertheless feel certain that my decision to go to Berlin is the right one…
H ave you worked for these people for long?” Hrefna had resumed her questioning of Sveinborg, wanting
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