Ticket No. 9672 · Chapter
XII explained
The lottery ticket No.
What happens
The lottery ticket No. 9672, rescued from the sea, becomes a worldwide sensation, with offers pouring in from across Europe and America. Hulda refuses all offers, seeing the ticket as Ole's last farewell, not a financial asset. Sylvius Hogg and Joel support her decision, though Dame Hansen disapproves. Sylvius Hogg receives authorization to organize a search for the missing Viking and departs, keeping his mission secret.
Themes in this chapter
Fate and Superstition
The lottery ticket's miraculous rescue fuels superstitious belief that it is destined to win, driving international offers and even affecting Sylvius Hogg's own doubts.
Gratitude and Repayment
Hulda's refusal to sell the ticket honors Ole's last gift, treating it as a sacred memento rather than a commodity, while Dame Hansen sees only the monetary value.
Love and Longing
Hulda's grief and refusal to part with the ticket underscore her enduring love for Ole; her health deteriorates from longing and loss.
Characters to notice
- Hulda Hansen
Refuses all offers for the lottery ticket, cherishing it as Ole's last memento; falls unconscious after hearing Ole's farewell letter and later prays for his soul; her health declines from grief.
- Sylvius Hogg
Supports Hulda's decision to keep the ticket, despite his own superstitions; reads Ole's letter and examines the ticket; receives authorization to organize a search for the Viking and leaves Dal secretly.
- Joel Hansen
Approves Hulda's refusal to sell the ticket; carries Hulda after she faints; leaves the house in distress and wanders by the Maan; defends Hulda against their mother's criticism.
- Dame Hansen
Disapproves of Hulda's refusal, repeatedly lamenting the offered five thousand marks; fears the loss of a certain sum for a speculative chance.
- Ole Kamp
His farewell letter and lottery ticket are the central focus; his fate remains uncertain, but Sylvius Hogg refuses to believe he is dead.
Key passages
“A lottery ticket so providentially rescued from the waves could hardly fail to be the winning ticket.”
A ticket saved from the sea in such a miraculous way was almost certain to win the grand prize.
Reflects the superstitious public sentiment driving the ticket's value.
“She saw in it only the last farewell of her shipwrecked lover—a memento she wished to reverently preserve.”
To Hulda, the ticket was simply Ole's final goodbye, a keepsake she wanted to honor and keep safe.
Highlights Hulda's emotional attachment versus the public's financial interest.
“Keep your ticket, my boy, keep it! First, your ticket, and then you, yourself, were saved from the wreck. You had better wait and see what will come of it.”
Hold on to your ticket, Ole; both it and you escaped the shipwreck, so you should see what fate brings.
Sylvius Hogg's superstitious advice, despite his rational profession.