--- title: The Porter's Son, part 2 — Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen · full text with trees description: The Porter's Son, part 2, «Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen» by H. C. Andersen: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: One day, when it was very gloomy, gray, wet weather, the brightest of days dawned for George; for the Professor at the Academy c --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/) / The Porter's Son, part 2 # The Porter's Son, part 2 The Porter's Son, part 2 of «Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen» by H. C. Andersen: the whole text, 152 sentences and 2597 words. Every sentence has its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/page/2/) - [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/1/) — One day, when it was very gloomy, gray, wet weather, the brightest of days dawned for George; for the Professor at the Academy called him into his room. - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/2/) — "Listen to me, my friend," said the Professor; "I want to speak to you. - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/3/) — The Lord has been good to you in giving you abilities, and He has also been good in placing you among kind people. - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/4/) — The old Count at the corner yonder has been speaking to me about you. - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/5/) — I have also seen your sketches; but we will not say any more about those, for there is a good deal to correct in them. - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/6/) — But from this time forward you may come twice a-week to my drawing-class, and then you will soon learn how to do them better. - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/7/) — I think there's more of the architect than of the painter in you. - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/8/) — You will have time to think that over; but go across to the old Count this very day, and thank God for having sent you such a friend." - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/9/) — It was a great house--the house of the old Count at the corner. - [10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/10/) — Round the windows elephants and dromedaries were carved, all from the old times; but the old Count loved the new time best, and what it brought, whether it came from the first floor, or from the cellar, or from the attic. - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/11/) — "I think," said, the porter's wife, "the grander people are, the fewer airs do they give themselves. - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/12/) — How kind and straightforward the old count is! and he talks exactly like you and me. - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/13/) — Now, the General and his lady can't do that. - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/14/) — And George was fairly wild with delight yesterday at the good reception he met with at the Count's, and so am I to-day, after speaking to the great man. - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/15/) — Wasn't it a good thing that we didn't bind George apprentice to a handicraftsman? for he has abilities of his own." - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/16/) — "But they must be helped on by others," said the father. - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/17/) — "That help he has got now," rejoined the mother; "for the Count spoke out quite clearly and distinctly." - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/18/) — "But I fancy it began with the General," said the father, "and we must thank them too." - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/19/) — "Let us do so with all my heart," cried the mother, "though I fancy we have not much to thank them for. - [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/20/) — I will thank the good God; and I will thank Him, too, for letting little Emily get well." - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/21/) — Emily was getting on bravely, and George got on bravely too. - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/22/) — In the course of the year he won the little silver prize medal of the Academy, and afterwards he gained the great one too. - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/23/) — "It would have been better, after all, if he had been apprenticed to a handicraftsman," said the porter's wife, weeping; "for then we could have kept him with us. - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/24/) — What is he to do in Rome? - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/25/) — I shall never get a sight of him again, not even if he comes back; but that he won't do, the dear boy." - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/26/) — "It is fortune and fame for him," said the father. - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/27/) — "Yes, thank you, my friend," said the mother; "you are saying what you do not mean. - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/28/) — You are just as sorrowful as I am." - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/29/) — And it was all true about the sorrow and the journey. - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/30/) — But everybody said it was a great piece of good fortune for the young fellow. - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/31/) — And he had to take leave, and of the General too. - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/32/) — The General's lady did not show herself, for she had her bad headache. - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/33/) — On this occasion the General told his only anecdote, about what he had said to the Prince, and how the Prince had said to him, "You are incomparable." - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/34/) — And he held out a languid hand to George. - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/35/) — Emily gave George her hand too, and looked almost sorry; and George was the most sorry of all. - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/36/) — Time goes by when one has something to do; and it goes by, too, when one has nothing to do. - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/37/) — The time is equally long, but not equally useful. - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/38/) — It was useful to George, and did not seem long at all, except when he happened to be thinking of his home. - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/39/) — How might the good folks be getting on, up stairs and down stairs? - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/40/) — Yes, there was writing about that, and many things can be put into a letter--bright sunshine and dark, heavy days. - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/41/) — Both of these were in the letter which brought the news that his father was dead, and that his mother was alone now. - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/42/) — She wrote that Emily had come down to see her, and had been to her like an angel of comfort; and concerning herself, she added that she had been allowed to keep her situation as porteress. - [43](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/43/) — The General's lady kept a diary, and in this diary was recorded every ball she attended and every visit she received. - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/44/) — The diary was illustrated by the insertion of the visiting cards of the diplomatic circle and of the most noble families; and the General's lady was proud of it. - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/45/) — The diary kept growing through a long time, and amid many severe headaches, and through a long course of half-nights, that is to say, of court balls. - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/46/) — Emily had now been to a court ball for the first time. - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/47/) — Her mother had worn a bright red dress, with black lace, in the Spanish style; the daughter had been attired in white, fair and delicate; green silk ribbons fluttered like flag-leaves among her yellow locks, and on her head she wore a wreath of water-lillies. - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/48/) — Her eyes were so blue and clear, her mouth was so delicate and red, she looked like a little water spirit, as beautiful as such a spirit can be imagined. - [49](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/49/) — The Princes danced with her, one after another of course; and the General's lady had not a headache for a week afterwards. - [50](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/50/) — But the first ball was not the last, and Emily could not stand it; it was a good thing, therefore, that summer brought with it rest, and exercise in the open air. - [51](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/51/) — The family had been invited by the old Count to visit him at him castle. - [52](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/52/) — That was a castle with a garden which was worth seeing. - [53](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/53/) — Part of this garden was laid out quite in the style of the old days, with stiff green hedges; you walked as if between green walls with peep-holes in them. - [54](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/54/) — Box trees and yew trees stood there trimmed into the form of stars and pyramids, and water sprang from fountains in large grottoes lined with shells. - [55](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/55/) — All around stood figures of the most beautiful stone--that could be seen in their clothes as well as in their faces; every flower-bed had a different shape, and represented a fish, or a coat of arms, or a monogram. - [56](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/56/) — That was the French part of the garden; and from this part the visitor came into what appeared like the green, fresh forest, where the trees might grow as they chose, and accordingly they were great and glorious. - [57](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/57/) — The grass was green, and beautiful to walk on, and it was regularly cut, and rolled, and swept, and tended. - [58](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/58/) — That was the English part of the garden. - [59](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/59/) — "Old time and new time," said the Count, "here they run well into one another. - [60](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/60/) — In two years the building itself will put on a proper appearance, there will be a complete metamorphosis in beauty and improvement. - [61](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/61/) — I shall show you the drawings, and I shall show you the architect, for he is to dine here to-day." - [62](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/62/) — "Charming!" said the General. - [63](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/63/) — "'Tis like Paradise here," said the General's lady, "and yonder you have a knight's castle!" - [64](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/64/) — "That's my poultry-house," observed the Count. " - [65](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/65/) — The pigeons live in the tower, the turkeys in the first floor, but old Elsie rules in the ground floor. - [66](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/66/) — She has apartments on all sides of her. - [67](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/67/) — The sitting hens have their own room, and the hens with chickens have theirs; and the ducks have their own particular door leading to the water." - [68](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/68/) — "Charming!" repeated the General. - [69](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/69/) — And all sailed forth to see these wonderful things. - [70](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/70/) — Old Elsie stood in the room on the ground floor, and by her side stood Architect George. - [71](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/71/) — He and Emily now met for the first time after several years, and they met in the poultry-house. - [72](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/72/) — Yes, there he stood, and was handsome enough to be looked at. - [73](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/73/) — His face was frank and energetic; he had black shining hair, and a smile about his mouth, which said, "I have a brownie that sits in my ear, and knows every one of you, inside and out." - [74](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/74/) — Old Elsie had pulled off her wooden shoes, and stood there in her stockings, to do honor to the noble guests. - [75](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/75/) — The hens clucked, and the cocks crowed, and the ducks waddled to and fro, and said, "Quack, quack!" - [76](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/76/) — But the fair, pale girl, the friend of his childhood, the daughter of the General, stood there with a rosy blush on her usually pale cheeks, and her eyes opened wide, and her mouth seemed to speak without uttering a word, and the greeting he received from her was the most beautiful greeting a young man can desire from a young lady, if they are not related, or have not danced many times together, and she and the architect had never danced together. - [77](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/77/) — The Count shook hands with him, and introduced him. - [78](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/78/) — "He is not altogether a stranger, our young friend George." - [79](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/79/) — The General's lady bowed to him, and the General's daughter was very nearly giving him her hand; but she did not give it to him. - [80](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/80/) — "Our little Master George!" said the General. " - [81](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/81/) — Old friends! - [82](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/82/) — Charming!" - [83](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/83/) — "You have become quite an Italian," said the General's lady, "and I presume you speak the language like a native?" - [84](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/84/) — "My wife sings the language, but she does not speak it," observed the General. - [85](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/85/) — At dinner, George sat at the right hand of Emily, whom the General had taken down, while the Count led in the General's lady. - [86](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/86/) — Mr. George talked and told of his travels; and he could talk well, and was the life and soul of the table, though the old Count could have been it too. - [87](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/87/) — Emily sat silent, but she listened, and her eyes gleamed, but she said nothing. - [88](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/88/) — In the verandah, among the flowers, she and George stood together; the rose-bushes concealed them. - [89](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/89/) — And George was speaking again, for he took the lead now. - [90](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/90/) — "Many thanks for the kind consideration you showed my old mother," he said. " - [91](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/91/) — I know that you went down to her on the night when my father died, and you stayed with her till his eyes were closed. - [92](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/92/) — My heartiest thanks!" - [93](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/93/) — He took Emily's hand and kissed it--he might do so on such an occasion. - [94](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/94/) — She blushed deeply, but pressed his hand, and looked at him with her dear blue eyes. - [95](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/95/) — "Your mother was a dear soul!" she said. " - [96](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/96/) — How fond she was of her son! - [97](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/97/) — And she let me read all your letters, so that I almost believe I know you. - [98](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/98/) — How kind you were to me when I was little girl! - [99](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/99/) — You used to give me pictures." - [100](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/100/) — "Which you tore in two," said George. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/147/page/2/) - ← previous: [The Porter's Son, part 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/146/) - next →: [The Porter's Son, part 3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/148/) - ↑ back to [Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/)