25.5.2009


8






8

A few days before the wedding John's mother, Madame Sigrid, started to think about the prospective daughter-in-law's family and roots. She called people up and thumbed through books and genealogical tables. This research revealed that Violet's father ran a family company up on Bergstadastrćti. The family lived on the upper floor of the building, and C&C (Caramels and Creams) was on the ground floor. This operation was not prominent in the city's business community, although, so it seemed, the company was sound and earned the family a good living. Besides Violet, the couple had a daughter, Edith, who was four years older. Madame Sigrid's survey also revealed that Violet's father, Simon Sörenson, better known as Speedy Simon, was none other than the former star athlete, Champion of Iceland, Champion of Europe and nearly World Champion in the noble sport of speed walking. That, of course, was why he had the nickname Speedy Simon.

Having obtained this information, Madame Sigrid phoned her husband, Director Stein, to find out if he did not know these people. Yes, he vaguely remembered something about the name Speedy Simon. He certainly was not familiar with the company C&C that she mentioned, so it must be with regard to his sports achievements that he knew the name.

"Yes, and it's not so little to be Champion of Iceland and Europe, and not many Icelanders take fourth place in a World Championship," which Madame Sigrid also had found out.

"That's fine," said the Director. "They must be good people."

"And there's something else that I think is not less significant."

"What is that?"

"That's his father, Violet's grandfather."

"What about him?"

"His name was also Simon Sörenson, and he was a farmer up North, where he was Chairman of the District Council and sexton. Do you know about him?" asked Madame Sigrid.

"Yes, I recall him. He was a distinguished man."

Madame Sigrid was still not satisfied: "I don't understand it, Stein. There are no prominent men in this family?no leaders, no ministers, district magistrates or doctors?not even merchants."

"Well, he was Chairman of the District Council."

"Cut it out, Stein."

"Have you checked the mother's side?"

"I've gone over it with a fine-tooth comb. There's nothing. It's not even certain that Gudrun Rose, Violet's mother, is legitimate."

"Then there's hope, isn't there?" said the Director and had started to make fun of Madame's worries.

"Stein, you can't say such things. It's important and you know it."

"Just focus on Violet, woman. She is splendid regardless of anything else.