THROUGH THE KEY HOLE

" You 're not goint out now, are you, Anton ? It's Christmas Eve ! You cannot ... "

Gunda Lundh stood in front of her husband, and her eyes were suspiciously large and bright. She knew so well what the consequence would be if he walked away now. Then he would not come back until the morning on Christmas Day, perhaps even on Boxing Day - and when he finally re- entered the home's doorstep, his face would be swollen and ruddy and he would totter unsteady - and then he would stay that way as long as the festival lasted ....

" Go away , Gunda, and take it easy!" The man's voice was cold and crisp." Always you have to take everything so seriously! I'll just go over to see my brother in law,, I told you – I'll be back in an hour. " He looked uncertain towards the door, as he said the latter.

Gunda laughed, but it was no happy laughter. "Yes, I know" she said with a sad voice, "You're probably back in an hour. Oh no , Anton! Once you have reached your brother in law, then I know well the rest ... "

Anton walked rapidly away and opened the front door, and his voice was sarcastic and full of irony when he said, "You are truly one good" he said, " You trust your man. Thank you for that!" And he rushed out and slammed the door behind him. He could not help but be a little violent and aggressive, because the annoyance and temper boiled inside him. There was always something, when he was about to go out - long sad glances from Gundas blue eyes, and some words that burned like lashes in his mind.

But out he had to go - just a little trip over to gossip - but tonight he intended to show Gunda that he was the man to keep his word! He just wanted to go over and prove to colleagues, which in the evening was meeting for a cozy evening with talk and games in the home of the brother in law, and then he intended to say that he wanted to leave. If it turned out to be difficult, then he could play sick ...

But it turned out that it was not so easy to break up after all, when he first was present in his comrades company! Everyone was in high spirits, and the Christmas spirit was in the top, and it looked in the beginning like that Gundas statements was about to come true, but then something happened that made Anton leave the company about the time he himself had mentioned.

Jorgensen, one of his colleagues, which otherwise used to be one of the first who showed up, he had been delayed and arrived one and a half hour later than the others! His face was a great subtle smile as he came, and when the welcome bowl was empty , he beat Anton Lund on the shoulder and said: "Comrade, let me just say something to you! "

Anton had already consumed so much of " Christmas goods " that he had begun to falter, but at the sight of his friend's face he woke up and began to think clearly again and he obviously went with his friend to a secluded corner of the house.

" Hey, Lundh ... " Jorgensen whispered the words .

" Yes, what is it that you want ... ?" Anton stared into the other's face.

" Is it good and safe that you go from home and - your wife like this ? "

Anton gave a start and his eyes were almost feverish . "What do you really want? " He said, almost threatening. "Is this any of your business? "

The other shrugged."Take it easy" , he said. " You know that I'm not the kind of man who interferes in other people's affairs, but this time I must do it! Have you ever noticed that your wife has company when you are away ....? "

Anton became quite pale, and he sank several times before he could answer. "Company ? What do you mean ? "

Jorgensen looked around, cautiously "tonight, I came past your house - and "

Lundh held his breath . " Well - and then?"

" There was a man in front of me - and he swung into ... "

" Home? "

" Yes, into your home ... "

" Did you recognize him? "

The other shook his head. It was a high spirited gentleman" he said," but I cannot remember having seen him before."

Lundhs face was still quite white and his eyes shone. "You did not see him later? " He said questioningly and the other shook his head.

" I stood there long," he said, "but he did not come out again ..."

Anton Lundh stood up with a jerk. "I must go home," he said hoarsely, "and if he's still there , then "

Jorgensen laughed. "Not so fast , Anton ," he said . Basically, you may not be right to say anything - you who neglects her like that ... "


Lundt hurried back home in the evening stillness, he had never been so agitated as now! His comrade's last words spoke highly of him.

Yes, he neglected his wife! - He neglected her - and so - others – another man.

But he was man enough to show that he had authority in his own home, and if Jorgensen was right, then it was to become a cozy Christmas Eve for the visitor!"

He was completely soaked with sweat as he reached back to the villa, but the intoxication had not left him yet. It was probably the "Farewell drink" that had had this effect on him, but it was not that bad, as he had more "guts" now so that he could address this in the correct manner .

Now it was just about getting inside as soundless as possible , so noone would notice anything until he suddenly and unexpectedly stood there. He gasped for breath as he reached up to the front door, and he felt as if he was smothered , the heart was beating so suspicious tremendously.

Slowly and silently he crept into the hallway, stopped and listened ...

Yes, indeed ! There was someone who was talking in the kitchen. He clenched his fists and leaned in towards the door, if possible, to be able to pick up some words.

It was Gunda, who talked, and the first sentence he could intercept made his blood rush to his head.

"I think it's best that you take me home to you," he heard her say, "for I cannot bear to be here anymore ... "

Anton Lundh had to grab hold of the door frame so as not to fall down. I see! Now, had it come to this! She wanted him - the other fellow - to take her home with him!

No way – that that was going to happen! That's really fortunate that Jorgensen came this way tonight. Those two in there could never have figured that out. Now he would soon make an end to the idyll! He heard that Gunda kept talking, but could not get more of what she said, the blood pumped wildly through his body and head - made ​​him almost deaf.

Finally he pulled himself together, and had just put his hand on the doorknob, when suddenly a thought stopped him:

I wonder if it is possible for me to see anything through the keyhole?

Action followed thought, and he bent down - but the next moment he sank completely together on the floor in front of the door.

He stared and stared , and never had Anton Lundh thought that it was possible to see so much through a tiny keyhole! He saw half of the kitchen.

And right in front of him - inside by a chair - was Gunda - on her knees - with her face hidden in her hands.

She prayed ...

What then happened in Anton's home he could not later even explain. He just knew that something inside him smashed and went to pieces, and he felt a terrible disgust for his own life and a heartfelt compassion for his wife, who was there.

He saw how her shoulders shook during the battle, which was fought, and he knew that was all his fault ...

It was as if he through the keyhole was allowed to see both his own sin and Gundas purity - and what really got "the weight to tip" for him was the memory of suspicion that he had had with her ...

The strong man shook when he finally got up and opened the door - he staggered in. As in a fog he saw Gunda get up and come to meet him with outstretched arms.

" Anton - oh , Anton - are you ... " but she did not complete the sentence.

" Gunda " he said to himself. "I am the world's most disgusting creep! Oh, Gunda , do you have enougt strength to pray for me?"


Christmas came a little late for the Lunds this time, but it came and it was the main thing.
They partied late into the night.

But it was never solved who the tall and bold man was that Jorgensen had seen go into Lund's house. There is no indication that there has been a thief nearby and Gunda had observed nothing of the mysterious visitor, but she did give an immediate explanation of the matter.

"Anton" she said, her blue eyes beamed in competiton with the lights of the small beautiful Christmas tree. " It was probably an angel, it is an angel, who was sent to lure you home! "

Anton Lundh laughed - a happy laugh. "Yes," he said, " You 're probably right . It was an angel that lured me back to the little angel who was waiting for me at home ... "

Olaf Baraas in " juleneket 1939 "



" The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them " Psalm 34.8

“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Hebr. 1,14