$B 3DM bfiS ELIAS KR..EMMER Digitized by tine Internet Archive in 2008 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/dryfishwettalesfOOeliarich DRY FISH AND WET Translated from the Norwegian by W. WORSTER^ M.A. DRY FISH AND WET Tales from a Norwegian Seaport BY EtiAS KRiEMMER GYLDENDAL II HANOVER SQUARE, LONDON, W. i COPENHAGEN CHRISTIANIA 1922 ». ^ * • - >«> • CONTENTS I. The Town PA6S I II. Knut G. Holm . 4 III. Bramsen 25 IV. Hermansen of the Bank . 36 V. Mrs. Rantzau's Story 56 VI. "Rebecca and the Camels" 73 VII. Holm & Son . ... 86 VIII. Malla Trap lOI IX. Clapham Junction "5 X. The Ship comes Home 131 XI. The Concert . 136 XII. Old Nick . 141 XIII. Cilia .... 160 XIV. A Royal Visit . . 189 XV. Peter Oiland . 200 >'j45!«fc* " Ah — my name is Von Vegesak," said the courtier, with a bow. " The deuce it is," said Prois ; '* it doesn't look like it on the card." And he put on his glasses and turned the card about. " Oh, but that's not my birth certificate, you know," answered Von Vegesak, with a smile. " Well, anyhow, here's to you, Mr. — Mr. — Vegesak." At one end of the Royal table sat Governor Hansen and Captain Palander, deep in conversation about — horses ! Horses were the one theme in which Hansen was really interested, devoting especial attention to trotters, and once he got on to his favourite subject there was no stopping him. " Curious thing," he observed, '* I had a trotting horse a few years ago called Palander — ^ha, ha, ha ! Yes, that was really its name. But I could never get any pace out of it on ordinary going ; ice under- foot was the only thing to make it go." ** Very good claret this," murmured the King to Justice Heidt. " Yes, Your Majesty ; we have it from our worthy dealer here, Mr. Nachmann, a citizen of the town." *' Quite right. Your Majesty ; a genuine brand and premier one." Nachmann rose to his feet and turned his moonlike countenance towards the King. " Thanks for good wine, then, Nachmann," said His Majesty, raising his glass. " Proudest moment in my life. Your Majesty. I'll take the liberty of laying down a few bottles in memory of the occasion — until Your Majesty honours us again. Most humble servant. Your Majesty. And Nachmann bowed deeply, but with evident A ROYAL VISIT 197 pride. How they would envy him now, P. A. Larsen, Lundgren, Carl Fleischer, and all the rest of them, who fancied nobody sold good wine but themselves ! He would get the editor of the Strandvik Gazette to quote the Royal compliment to the firm of Nachmann & Co. — ^it was a credit to the town to have such a business in its midst. When Nachmann rose, there was a sudden silence ; one could have heard a pin drop. But since His Majesty took the occurrence in such good part, the others could do so too. Nevertheless, Justice Heidt considered Nachmann's behaviour unjustifiable and a breach of etiquette. He cast a glance of stem reproof at the wine merchant, but the latter was so elated that he misunderstood its meaning, and, raising his glass, nodded pleasantly in return : " Your health. Justice ! " Old Klementsen, the parish clerk, who had hardly eaten at all for two days in order to get full value out of the banquet for his twelve shillings, had been shovelling away as hard as he could stuff, and drinking in proportion. He was now in high feather as a result, and his one idea now was to get up and make a speech in honour of Carl Johan, whom he had seen in 1840. His neighbours with difficulty restrained him, tearing the tails of his coat in their efforts to keep him in his seat. Finally, they got him down into the police cells on the ground floor, when he delivered his loyal oration to the warder. Up in the gallery sat the ladies of the town, perspiring in their Sunday best ; it was almost hot enough up there to boil a lobster. All were thirsty too, and matters were not improved by the sight of their respective husbands and fathers in the hall below 198 DRY FISH AND WET eating and drinking ad libitum of the best, while they themselves had neither bite nor sup. Miss Svane, headmistress of the girls' school, could not restrain her emotions, and declared warmly that " it was easy enough to be a loyal subject of His Majesty if that was how they did it ! " Cilia Braaten had never seen a King at meals before ; she was gratified with the new experience, and had no thought for anything else until Miss Svane delivered her envious dictum. Then, however, she resolutely sent off a boy for six bottles of lemonade, in which the ladies drank to His Majesty's health — and, Uterally speaking, drank it warmly. At last the time came for the Royal party to leave, and the departure took place amid an endless thunder of cheering. Rockets whizzed, the gun at the fire- station boomed in salute. But in the banqueting- hall the fun grew fast and furious. Bowls of punch were brought in, and Schoolmaster Iversen made thirteen speeches, to which nobody listened at all. Skipper Abrahamsen jumped up on the table and made another for the Norwegian play, in the course of which he managed to empty his glass of punch over Warden Prois's new uniform, at which that worthy, very naturally incensed, cursed the patriot emphatically for behaving hke a monkey on a tightrope. Even aged Klementsen had come to life again, and found his way upstairs from the cells, somewhat pale but resolute still. His appearance was greeted with a burst of cheering, and a party of enthusiasts chaired him round the hall, singing patriotic songs the while. The singing and shouting continued well on towards morning, and a street sweeper declared he A ROYAL VISIT 199 had heard them howling out " God save our gracious King " at half-past six — but his watch, no doubt, must have been fast ! Next day the Strandvik Gazette contained a poem entitled " A Royal Visit,*' from which the following verses concerning the banquet may be quoted : " 'Twas plain to see that Strandvik town Lacked neither meat not mirth. The banquet might have brought renown To any place on earth. The dishes, numbering fourteen. Were rich enough to make, If such his daily fare had been, The Royal tummy ache. And healths were drunk and speeches very wittily were said, And those who had no speech to make, they drank the wine instead. But yet in spite of speeches gay And wit and wine, I dare to say His Majesty was glad to get away ! " XV PETER OILAND PETER OILAND, the new master at the girls' school in Strandvik, was a tall, thin man of about thirty. He had taken a theological degree, and his solemn, clean face gave him a somewhat clerical air ; his manner, too, appeared calm and reserved. " Not much fun to be got out of him, by his looks,*' said Old Nick, the first time he encountered Peter Oiland's lanky figure and serious countenance on his way up through the town. It was not from any predilection of his own, how- ever, that Peter Oiland had come to study theology, but a result of circumstances which left him no choice in the matter. His studies had been carried through at the expense of an old uncle, who was parish clerk at Sandefjord, and whose dearest wish it was to see the boy in Holy Orders. Only fancy ; to be handing the cassock to a nephew of his own. Peter, then, had taken his degree accordingly, and endeavoured conscientiously to suit himself as far as possible to the clerical role for which he was cast in life ; how he succeeded we shall presently see. His quiet and sober dignity of manner gained him the entry to the Sukkestads' house, where he was soon a frequent guest ; not that he found himself particularly I PETER OILAND 201 attracted by Sukkestad and his wife, or their severely earnest circle of friends. The attraction, in fact, was Andrea, the daughter of the house and only child, for whom he entertained the tenderest feeUng. Andrea was a buxom, pink-and-white beauty of eighteen summers. Her Hght blue eyes and Httle stumpy nose were quite charming in their way, while the plait of long, fair hair over the shoulders gave her an air of childish innocence. In a word, Peter Oiland was desperately in love, while Andrea, who had never before been the object of such attentions, began to lie awake at nights wonder- ing whether he "really meant it." The solution, however, came quite naturally. Andrea played the piano, and sang touching Uttle songs of the sentimental type, such as '* When my eyes are closing," " The Last Rose of Summer," or " The Deserted Cottage " — which transported Peter Oiland to the eighth heaven at least. One evening, when she had finished one of her usual turns, he took her hand and thanked her warmly, pressing it also quite perceptibly — and Andrea, well, she somehow managed to press his quite perceptibly in return — by accident, of course. And then these hand-clasps were repeated, nay, became a regular thing, to such an extent that the pair would press each other's hands when seated on the sofa with Mamma Sukkestad between them. That good lady, however, did not notice, or affected not to notice, these evidences of tender passion taking place behind her back. Thanks to his intimacy with Sukkestad, and also to his own reputation as a sober and earnest man, Peter Oiland was chosen, after only a couple of months' residence in the place, as one of the two representatives 202 DRY FISH AND WET of the town to attend the mission meeting at Stavanger. Sukkestad himself was the other. On the evening before their departure, he was invited to a party at the Sukkestads', together with the members of the Women's Union. Peter Oiland had already succeeded in making himself a special favourite with Mrs. Sukkestad, and was on very confidential terms with her ; relations, indeed, became quite intimate, when Andrea confided the secret of their mutual feelings to her mother. After supper, preserved fruit and pastry were handed round, which Peter Oiland inwardly con- sidered a somewhat insipid form of entertainment. He had often felt the lack of a glass of grog on his visits to the house, and this evening he deftly turned the conversation with Mrs. Sukkestad to the subject of " colds," from which he declared himself to be suffering considerably just lately. Mrs. Sukkestad recommended hot turpentine bandages on the chest and barley water internally. Oiland, however, hinted that the only thing he had ever known to do him any good was egg punch. Mrs. Sukkestad, who was one of those stout little homely persons always anxious to help, and with a fine store of household recipes ever available, set to work at once to find some means of getting him his favourite medicine, while Peter coughed distressingly, and screwed up his eyes behind his glasses. " I tell you what," whispered Mrs. Sukkestad at last. *' Sukkestad is an abstainer, you know, so we've never anything in the way of spirits in the house as a rule. But I've half a bottle of brandy out in the pantry that I got last spring when I was troubled with the toothache ; I was going to use it for cleaning the PETER OILAND 203 windows, really, but if you think it would do your cold any good, I'd be only too pleased/' '* Thanks ever so much, it's awfully good of you," said Peter Oiland hoarsely. ** Well, then, be sure you don't let anyone know what it is. I'll put it in one of the decanters, and say it's gooseberry wine." " Yes, yes, of course ; I understand." And, shortly after, Peter Oiland was comfortably seated in a corner with a lovely big glass of grog, enjoying himself thoroughly, and, to complete his satisfaction, Andrea sang : '* Thou art my one and only thought, My one and only love. . . ." Peter drank deep of the joy of Ufe, and eke of grog, and Andrea seemed more charming than ever. Later in the evening he held forth to the ladies — among whom, as above mentioned, were all the members of the Women's Union — about the blacks of the South Sea Islands, and gave so lurid a description of the state of things there prevailing as to make his audience fairly shudder. " And would you believe it, on one of the islands in the Pacific, a place called Kolamukka, belonging to Queen Rabagadale, they eat roast baby just as we do sucking pig, the only difference being that they don't serve them up with lemons in their mouths." Sukkestad thought this was going rather too far, and broke in, " Oh, come now, Oiland ; you're exag- gerating, I'm sure. Thank goodness, all the poor heathens are not cannibals." '* Have to quote the worst examples, to make it properly interesting," said Oiland, which dictum was 204 DRY FISH AND WET supported by Mrs. Writher, who declared that one could not paint these things too darkly ; it was hard enough as it was to make people realise the dreadful state of those benighted creatures. When the guests had left, Mrs. Sukkestad felt some qualms of conscience at the thought of having " served intoxicating hquors " in her house. She lay awake for hours, debating with herself whether she ought to confess at once to her husband. The excuse about having a cold was — well, rather poor after all. Suppose Oiland had a weakness, a leaning towards drink, and she had led him astray ! His cough, too, had vanished so quickly, it was suspicious. However, she decided to say nothing for the present. It was a fine, bright, sunny day when Sukkestad and Peter Oiland, as delegates from Strandvik to the meeting at Stavanger, stepped on board the coasting steamer, which was already half full of delegates with white neckerchiefs and broad-brimmed felt hats. The smoke-room was thick with the fumes of cheap tobacco and a hum of quiet talk from decent folk in black Sunday coats and well-poUshed leg boots. A swarthy little commercial traveller, with a bright red tie and waxed moustache, sat squeezed up in a corner puffing at a " special " cigar with a coloured waist- band. Peter Oiland gave a formal greeting to the company assembled as he entered ; those nearest politely made way for him. ** It's a hard Mfe, teaching," observed a stout Httle man with a florid, clean-shaven face and glistening black hair brushed forward over his ears. ** Tells on the nerves." " You find it so ? " put in Peter Oiland. " Well, PETER OILAND 205 now, it all depends on how you take it — as the young man said when he took a kiss in the dark." There was a somewhat awkward silence ; the company seemed rather in doubt as to the speaker's sympathy with their ideas. Presently the sea began to make itself felt, and Peter Oiland found occasion to relate the anecdote of the old lady who had been in to Christiania for a new set of false teeth, and, being sea-sick on the way back, dropped them overboard ; next day the local papers had an account of a big cod just caught, with false teeth in its mouth ! A smile — a very faint one — greeted the story, and the passengers relapsed into their customary serious- ness, not without occasional glances between one and another : what sort of a fellow was this they had got on board ? " H'm ! " thought Peter Oiland. " Have another try ; wake them up a bit. Must be a queer sort of party if I can't." Just then Sukkestad appeared in the doorway. " This way, this way, if you please," shouted Peter gaily. '* Gentlemen, my friend and colleague, Buk- kestad — beg pardon, Sukkestad ; slip of the tongue, you understand. Come along in, old man 1 Jolly evening we had at your place last night — first-rate fun." Sukkestad did not know whether to laugh or cry, or take himself off and have done with it. The fellow must be mad ! The commercial, who had been hiding his face behind an old newspaper, burst out laughing, and hurried out on deck. Peter Oiland settled his glasses on his nose, and went on : 2o6 DRY FISH AND WET " Smart lot of ladies you'd got hold of, too, Sukke- stad ; quite the up-to-date sort — eh, what ? Ah, you're the man for the girls, no doubt about that." " Really, Mr, Oiland, I don't know what you mean. Party — girls — I never heard of such a thing." Peter then fell to telHng stories, in the course of which one after another of the delegates disappeared. When he came to the story of the clerk who handed the parson his cassock with the words : " Teh ! steady, old hoss, till I get your harness on," the last one left the room ; no one was left now but the little com- mercial, who had found his way back again, and was thoroughly enjoying it all. The sea was calm now, and the moon was up, so the pair seated themselves on deck. And in the course of the evening the delegates below, endeavouring to get to sleep in their respective berths, were entertained by a series of drinking-songs much favoured by the wilder youth of the universities, Peter Oiland singing one part and the commercial traveller the other. The pair were so pleased with each other's company that the commercial, whose name was KUngenstein — " Goloshes and rubber goods," decided not to land at Arendal as he had intended, but to go on to Stavanger instead. Peter Oiland recommended this course, as offering, perhaps — who could say — an opportunity for getting into touch with the South Sea Islands, and selling goloshes to the heathen. " As a matter of fact," Peter added, " I know a man in Stavanger who lived some years on one of the South Sea Islands, personal friend of Queen Nabaga- dale ; useful man to know." There was then every reason to believe that KUngenstein might open up a new market in elastic stockings and such like. PETER OILAND 207 The moon went down about midnight, and Peter Oiland thought he might as well do hkewise. Thor- oughly pleased with himself and all the world, he went below and found his way to his cabin. The upper berth was occupied by a man in a big woollen nightcap " Evening ! " said Peter in the friendhest tone, as he sat down to take off his boot. " Sir," said the gentleman in the nightcap, " permit me to observe that you might have a little considera- tion for people who wish to rest." "DeHghted, I'm sure," said Peter. "But what's the matter ? Can't you get to sleep ? Awful nuisance, insomnia, I know." " Well, when people are so tactless as to sit up on deck just over one's head, stamping and shouting out ribald songs ..." But before his indignant fellow-passenger could finish his sentence, Peter Oiland was in his berth and snoring — snoring so emphatically, indeed, that he of the nightcap, after having listened to this new melody for three sohd hours, got up in despair and went off to lie down on a sofa in the saloon. Peter Oiland slept like a mummy till ten o'clock next morning, not even waking when the steamer touched at her two ports of call. Coming on deck, he could not fail to perceive that the other delegates were somewhat cold and reserved in their manner towards him, while as for Sukkestad, he had retired to an obscure corner of the second- class quarters. " Poor fellow, he's not used to travelling," thought Peter Oiland. " I must go and cheer him up a bit." And he went across to Sukkestad and asked if he didn't feel like something to eat. 208 DRY FISH AND WET Sukkestad was not inclined to be friendly at first, but Oiland took no heed ; on the contrary, he took his reluctant colleague by the arm and dragged him off, willy nilly, to the dining-saloon. There was an excellent spread, hot and cold meats, and Peter Oiland's heart warmed at the sight. Klingenstein was already seated and hard at work on the viands, with serviette tucked under his chin ; he rose, however, and bowed in fine style as Oiland made the introduction : " Mr. Krickke — beg pardon, Sukkestad — Mr. Vingentein — er, I should say, Klingenstein." The two new acquaintances looked at one another rather blankly for a moment, then both stared at Oiland, who, however, appeared entirely unconcerned, and fell to with excellent appetite upon a generous helping of steak and onions. Oiland ordered a bottle of beer and a schnapps, whereat Sukkestad shook his head mournfully, and inquired whether he really thought that was good for his health. Oiland, however, declared it was good for sea-sickness, and he never felt easy on board ship without it. Sukkestad grew thoughtful. What would happen when they got to Stavanger ? He wished he could get out of it somehow, and go back home again. At last the voyage was over, the two delegates went ashore and put up at the Hotel Norge. The first thing Sukkestad noticed, on coming down into the hall, was the name " Plukkestad " written on the board against the number of his room. This was too much ; he rubbed out the offending letters with his own hand, and wrote instead, with emphatic distinction, " C. A. Sukkestad." He strongly sus pected Oiland of being the culprit ; he had gone PETER OILAND 209 downstairs a few minutes before, but having no proof he preferred to say nothing about it. Sukkestad was now thoroughly ill at ease ; his one constant thought was to find himself safely home again without any scandal. He saw little of Oiland the first day ; the schoolmaster had hired a carriage and set off round the town to see the sights. In the evening, Oiland asked how the meeting had gone off that day, and if anyone had noticed his absence. Sukkestad answered emphatically, " No," inwardly hoping that Peter would not appear at the meetings still to come. " Well, I think I've seen about all there is to see in this old place — Harbour, Cathedral, Town Hall, Mirror House, and statues of famous men — done it pretty thoroughly, I should say." At the meeting on the following day Peter turned up, and astonished the assembly by delivering a long harangue on " The Civilising Influence of Missionary Work." Sukkestad nearly fainted. Peter's speech produced a great effect, the Hsteners growing more and more interested as he went on. *' Who is he — what's his name ? You've got a regular speaker there, Sukkestad." Sukkestad was utterly at a loss, but vowed never again to expose himself to such surprises, either of one sort or the other. At last the conference was ended, and the two delegates from Strandvik set out for home. It was with great relief that Sukkestad found himself on board the steamer ; Peter might do what he pleased now, for all he cared. As it turned out, however, Peter was amiabiUty itself towards his travelling companion, though the latter did not seem to appreciate his attention, but endeavoured to keep 14 210 DRY FISH AND WET to himself — o, matter of some difficulty on board a small steamboat. An hour before they got in to Strandvik, Oiland came up to him and begged the favour of a " serious word '* with him. Sukkestad wondered what on earth was coming, as the other took him by the arm and dragged him off to the forepart of the ship. " I have had the pleasure of being a frequent guest in your house," Peter began, buttonholing Sukkestad as if to make sure he did not escape. " I shouldn't have thought it could be any pleasure to you," put in Sukkestad dryly. " It has indeed, my dear fellow ; and I have the more reason to say so, since your daughter Andrea " " What ? " " Forgive my saying so, Mr. Sukkestad, but your daughter has made a deep impression on me." " Really, Mr. Oiland, this . . ." Sukkestad trembled at what was to come. ** A deep impression on me. And I think I may venture to say that she herself " " Pardon me, Mr. Oiland. My daughter has no feeUngs in any matter before consulting her father's wishes." " Oh, but she has, my dear father-in-law, I assure you." " Father-in-law 1 Mr. Oiland, this is most unseemly jesting." Sukkestad tried to break away, but Peter held him fast. '* But, my dear sir, what objection can you have to the match ? We've always got on splendidly together, and I'm sure this present voyage, and our little adventures on the way, will always be among our most cherished memories — won't they, now ? " *' Oh, this is too much ! I would recommend you, Mr. Oiland " PETER OILAND 211 " Most kind of you. I was sure you would. And I'm quite an eligible suitor, really, you know. Got my degree — rather low on the list, I confess, but, anyhow ... I ought to tell you, though, that I don't propose to enter the Church." *' Something to be thankful for at least," said Sukkestad. " So glad you agree with me. Delighted, really. Well, my dear fellow, I can understand you're a little overwhelmed just at the moment, but we can settle the detcdls when we're at home and at leisure. We're agreed on the essential point, so that's all right." Oiland let go his hold, and Sukkestad hurried off to his cabin and began getting his things together in feverish haste. What, give his daughter, his only child, to a fellow hke that ? Never ! They got in without further event, and parted on the quay, Oiland shaking hands fervently with a hearty ** Thanks for your pleasant company," while Sukkestad murmured absently : " Not at all, not at all." Sukkestad had hardly got inside the house when Andrea came rushing up to him. " Oh, wasn't it a lovely speech of Oiland's ? The parson's just been in and told us ; simply splendid, he says it was." " Well, my child, that's a matter of opinion." " Oh, father, you're always so severe," said Andrea, turning away with tears in her eyes. A quarter of an hour later Sukkestad and his wife were unpacking in the bedroom, and a serious confer- ence took place between the two. He recounted Oiland's behaviour on the voyage. " And I do hope things haven't gone so far between them as he says," observed Sukkestad sternly, with a meaning glance at his wife. The latter turned away, wiping her eyes on 212 DRY FISH AND WET a corner of her apron, and sniffing the while. " Marie, you don't mean to say you've been a party to it your- self ? " " I — yes — no, that is Oh, don't be angry with me. I did think he was such a nice man, really I did." " Well, we must see what can be done," said Sukkestad. That evening it was decided that Andrea should be sent as a Warder to the Moravian Mission at Kristians- feldt. Andrea wept bitterly, but to no purpose ; she had to go, whether she hked it or not. Peter Oiland came several times to the house, but got no farther than the doorstep ; the maid invariably greeted him with the words : " Mr. Sukkestad's com- pliments, sir, but he's not at home." On the occasion of his last attempt before Andrea's departure, he had just got out of the gate when he heard the drawing-room window open, and Andrea's well-known voice singing : "Thou are my one and only thought, My one and only love . . .** He stopped and looked up, but saw only the stern countenance of Papa Sukkestad hastily closing the window, and the music ceased abruptly. It was quite enough for Peter, however, and he walked home gaily, confident now that all would go well. Andrea went off without having spoken to Oiland, but the post was busy between Strandvik and Kristians- feldt, for letters passed daily either way — while Mrs. Sukkestad went about complaining that Andrea never wrote home. XVI EMILIE RANTZAU OLD Marthe Pettersen, who had been house- keeper to Old Nick for nearly thirty years, had taken pneumonia and died a fortnight after Christmas ; she had at least chosen a convenient time, having made all culinary preparations for the festival beforehand. Old Nick was inconsolable, for Selma Rordam, whom he had got in as a temporary help, was hopelessly incapable ; either the cod would be unsalted and insipid or she would serve it up in a Hquor approaching brine, not to speak of throwing away the best parts, and boiling the roe to nothing. And last Sunday's joint of beef had been so tough that he had seriously considered sending it in to the Society for Preservation of Ancient ReHcs. His breakfast eggs were constantly hard boiled, despite his ironic inquiries as to whether she thought he wanted them for biUiard balls. And as for sewing on buttons — for the past fourteen days he had been reduced to boring holes in the waist of his trousers and fastening them with bits of wood. Everything was going wrong all round. " Very inconvenient, yes," said Nachmann, called in to discuss the situation. " But you'll see it'll come all right in time. Now you take my advice and advertise in the papers for someone ; she's sure to 214 DRY FISH AND WET come along : ' Wanted, an ideal woman, to restore domestic bliss.' " The pair sat down accordingly to draft out an advertisement, each to write one out of his own head. Nachmann's, when completed, ran as follows : " Matrimonial. ** Bachelor, middle-aged, no children, would like to make acquaintance of an educated lady of suitable age — widow not objected to. Must be accustomed to domestic duties and of bright and cheerful tempera- ment. Private means not so essential as amiability. Reply to * Earnest,' office of this paper." Old Nick tore up this effusion, and inserted his own, which said : " Housekeeper. " Lady, middle-aged, thoroughly capable cook and housekeeper, wanted for elderly gentleman's house in seaport town. Remuneration by arrangement ; ability and pleasant companionship most essential. Particulars to * Cookery,' c/o this paper." During the week that followed Old Nick was posi- tively inundated with applications. There were cook-maids, hot and cold, with years of experience at first-class hotels ; reliable women from outlying country districts ; widows from small townships up and down the coast ; while a " clergyman's daughter, aged twenty-three," who already considered herself middle- aged, gave Old Nick some food for thought. Among all these various documents, some large, and small, and bold, others timidly small, was a Uttle pink EMILIE RANTZAU 215 envelope addressed in a delicate hand. The letter contained, ran as follows : " Dear Sir, — In reply to your advertisement in to-day's paper I venture to offer my services as house- keeper. I am a widow without encumbrance, age thirty-seven, with long experience of keeping house, and able to undertake any reasonable work desired. " I am of a bright and cheerful temper, with many interests, musical, good reader, and would do my utmost to make your home pleasant and comfortable in every way. " Trusting to be favoured with a reply, when further particulars can be forwarded. — I beg to remain, yours very truly, Emilie Rantzau." Old Nick sat for a long while staring thoughtfully before him. " Widow, thirty-seven, long experience of keeping house, bright and cheerful temper. ... I tell you what, Nachmann, this looks Hke what we want.'* '* Heavens, man, but she's musical — what do you want with that sort of thing in the house ? No, no, my friend ; the devil take that widow for his house- keeper — not you. She'd play you out of house and home in no time, my boy." " Well, you know, really, I was getting a bit sick of old Mart he. Felt the lack of refined womanly in- fluence now and again. And I must say this — what's her name — Emilie Rantzau rather appeals to me. There's somethings I don't know what to call it, about her letter. Sort of ladyHke, you know." *' Yes, and perfumed too, lovely, m-m-m. Pat- chouli ! " said Nachmann, holding the envelope to Nickelsen's nose. 2i6 DRY FISH AND WET After some further deliberation Old Nick wrote to Mrs. Emilie Rantzau, and learned that she was the widow of a Danish artist, had spent many years abroad, and wished now to find a position in some small town where she could Hve a quiet, retired life, occupied solely with her duties. Her letters were so frank and sincere, that they made quite an impression on Old Nick, and he decided to engage her. She was to come on Saturday, and on the Friday before, Nickelsen did not go to his office at all, but stayed at home, going about dusting the rooms with an old handkerchief. Thinking the place looked rather bare, he obtained a big palm and an indiarubber plant to brighten things up a little. He was queerly nervous and ill at ease every day, with a feeling as if some misfortune were on the way. What would she be hke, he wondered ? If the ex- periment turned out a failure, there would be an end of his domestic peace. Perhaps after all he would have done better to stick to the Marthe type. . . . They were seated at dinner, and her fine dark eyes played over his face. " No, you must let me make the salad. I promise you it shall be good." And she took the bowl, her soft, delicate hand just touching his as she did so. Old Nick murmured something politely, and was con- scious that he flushed up to the roots of his white mane. " Queer sort of woman this." It was on the tip of his tongue to say it aloud, but he checked himself in time. The joint was served, and for the first time in his life he forgot to pick out the marrow. Fancy forgetting that ! In old Marthe's time he invariably sent for toast, and a spoon to get it out with ; now he EMILIE RANTZAU 217 sat attentively listening to Mrs. Rantzau's stories of the theatre in Copenhagen. " Very nice claret this of yours, Mr. Nickelsen. I know '78 is supposed to be the best — good body they say. Funny, isn't it, to talk of wine having a body." She looked across at him with a smile, showing two rows of fine white teeth. Then, rising, she went over to the sideboard to show him that she too knew how to carve a joint. Old Nick took advantage of the oppor- tunity to observe her more closely. Dark, glistening hair, tied in what is called a Gordian knot at the back, with a tiny curl or so lower down, and a beautiful white neck. She was not tall, but her figure was well rounded, and the close-fitting dark dress showed it off to perfection. Old Nick was so intent in studying her that he had not time to look away before she turned round and laughingly exclaimed : ** Well, are you afraid I shall spoil the joint ? " " No, indeed ; I see you are an expert at carving/' In his confusion he upset the sauce tureen. But Mrs. Rantzau laughed heartily, holding his arm as she declared she must evidently have brought misfortune in her train. Old Nick had been rather uneasy at the thought of what to say to her, but she made conversation so easily herself that he had only to put in an odd remark here and there : " Yes, of course, yes." *' No, indeed." " Exactly." In the evening Thor Smith, Nachmann and Warden Prois came round for their weekly game of cards. They were all remarkably punctual to-day : the clock had not struck seven before all three were in the hall, and all with unfeigned curiosity plainly on their faces. 2i8 DRY FISH AND WET " I'm d3dng to see how the old man gets on with this gay widow," said Thor Smith, touching up his hair and tie before the glass — a nicety he had never troubled about on previous visits to Old Nick. Red paper shades had been put on the lamps, and the table was fully laid with tea-urn, cups and saucers, cakes and little fringed serviettes. Old Nick, in a black frock-coat, advanced ceremoni- ously towards them ; he said very little, however, and seemed generally rather ill at ease. " Rather a change this," thought Warden Prois. He was more accustomed to finding Old Nick on such occasions in dressing-gown and slippers, with his old rocking-chair drawn up, and his feet on the table. Then, when he heard his visitors arrive, he would send a gruff hail to the kitchen : " Marthe, you old slow- coach, hurry up with that hot water, or I'll . . ." But to-day he was as polished and precise as an old marquis. Prois glanced over towards Nachmann, and Thor Smith in despair picked up an ancient album that he had seen at least a hundred times before ; the only pictures in it were portraits of the former parson, and of Pepita, a dancer, who had adorned the stage some forty years earher, when Old Nick was young. Then Mrs. Rantzau came in. She woi'e a black velvet dress, with a little red silk handkerchief coquettishly stuck in the breast. Old Nick introduced them. She was certainly handsome, as she greeted each of the guests with a kindly word and a smile. Tea was served, and she handed a cup to Smith and one to Prois. Nachmann had retired to the farthest corner of the sofa, as if on his guard. EMILIE RANTZAU 219 She held out a cup towards him. *' Mr. Nachmann, a cup of tea now ? " " Excuse me, I can drink most things made with water, including soda, potash and ApoUinaris, but tea — no. It affects my nerves. Mr. Prois, now, is a confirmed tea-drinker ; he'll have two cups at least, I'm sure." Prois gave a furious glance at Nachmann, and struggled desperately with some sort of cake with currants in, and these he managed to spit out on the sly, hiding them in his waistcoat pocket. At last the toddy and the cards appeared. Mrs. Rantzau sat close at hand, working at her embroidery, a large piece of canvas with a design representing Diana in the act of throwing a big spear at a retreating lion. Nachmann, the only one who had retained his self- possession, was master of the situation. " Now, what's that supposed to be, may I ask ? " '' Oh, you can see, Mr. Nachmann. I'm sure it's plain enough." " Well, now, honestly, my dear lady, I should say that Diana there is the very image of your charming self, and the terrified animal in the corner looks remark- ably like our host. I do hope you'll be careful with that spear I " Mrs. Rantzau was plainly offended, and gave him a sharp glance of reproof from her dark eyes. "Ah, now you're angry, I can see. But really it was quite innocently meant." Mrs. Rantzau rose and left the room hastily. There was an awkward pause, until Thor Smith took up the cards and began to shufile. *' Water isn't hot," muttered Old Nick, clasping both hands about the jug. 220 DRY FISH AND WET " Only wait a little, old boy, and you'll find it hot enough, or I'm much mistaken. Ah, well, such is life without a wife. . . . Here, I say, where's your head to-night, Nickelsen. Bless my soul, if you haven't given them the game ! " Old Nick complained of headache that evening, and the party broke up earlier than usual. So early, indeed, that Thor Smith had scarcely finished his first glass, or the first cataract, as he called it, whereas ordinarily the third would be reached and passed in the course of the evening's play. The three friends walked home together, all very serious, and greatly troubled in mind as to Old Nick's future. Prois in particular took a most gloomy view. " It's a dangerous age for that sort of thing ; comes on suddenly, before you know where you are." He was thinking of his own experiences in that direction ; it was only four years since he had been wild to marry that young governess at the Abrahamsens', the disaster, however, being fortunately averted by the intervention of Pedersen, the telegraphist, who cut in and won her before he, Prois, had screwed himself up to the question. Old Nick hardly knew the place again when he came down to breakfast next morning, to find Mrs. Rantzau presiding at table in a pink morning-gown and dainty shoes. The walls were decorated with Chinese paper fans in flowery designs, and Japanese parasols ; the sofas had been moved out at all angles about the room. A big palm waved above his writing- table, and all the papers on it were neatly arranged in two piles of equal size, one on either hand. At sight of this his blood began to boil ; his writing- table was sacred ; no human hand but his own had EMILIE RANTZAU 221 touched it for the past forty years. Old Martha herself, when dusting the room, had been as shy of coming near it as if it had been a red-hot stove. Never- theless, Old Nick found himself unable to say a word ; Mrs. Rantzau's smile and her dark eyes threw him into utter confusion. One day, happening to come in for some papers, he found her in the act of taking the documents of a case pending — " Strand vik Postal Authorities v. Holme- strand Town Council " — to clean the lamps with. But here he was obliged to put his foot down and protest. If he could not trust his papers to be left in safety on his table, why, he might as well move out of the house. Mrs. Rantzau looked at him with great imploring eyes, and was so contrite ; he must forgive her, she was so dreadfully stupid ; she had no idea that papers could be so important. Old Nick could not help smiling, and peace was restored, on condition that for the future only news- papers should be used for cleaning purposes. This naturally led to Old Nick's finding the one particular journal he wanted to read after dinner had been sacrificed. She was undeniably handsome, however, especially in that pink morning-gown as she sat at the breakfast- table, while Old Nick revived his early memories and endeavoured to play the youthful cavalier. Friends of the house were soon thoroughly convinced that Old Nick was done for ; the widow had captivated him beyond recall. Thor Smith, thinking a warning might yet be in time, sent him anonymously the following lines : " Be careful of taking a widow to wife, She'll lighten your purse and burden your life.'* 222 DRY FISH AND WET Nickelsen, however, recognised the writing, and promptly sent back a reply : " Best thanks for your advice, my friend, 'Twas really kind of you to send ; But still, considering whence it came, I can manage without it all the same. So keep your triplets, one — two — three, A widow without is enough for me 1 " A grand ball was to be held at the Town Hall, in aid of the Fund for National Defence. Old Nick had no intention of going himself, but Mrs. Rantzau pointed out that it was his duty, as a loyal and patriotic citizen, to attend. Accordingly, albeit not without considerable hesitation, he decided to go. She tied his dress-bow for him, and put a red rosebud with a tip of fern in his buttonhole. She herself, with Old Nick in attendance, sailed into the ballroom like a queen, with pearls in her hair, and her dark blue silk dress fitting like the corslet of a Valkyrie. The company made way for her involuntarily, and she was placed at the upper end of the hall, between Mrs. Jansen and Mrs. Heidt. The last named lady, who was ceremonious and reserved by nature, besides being conscious of representing the aristocracy of the town, was chilhness itself towards this newly risen star. Mrs. Jansen, on the other hand, a kindly soul, felt obliged to show her some little attention, and introduced her to a number of those present. Dr. Stromberg, a middle-aged bachelor, had the reputation of falling in love with every new specimen of the fair sex he encountered. True to his character, he at once attached himself to Mrs. Rantzau, whose conquest of Strandvik was thus begun. Old Nick sat in a comer talking to Winter, the EMILIE RANTZAU 223 Customs Officer, his eyes incessantly following the blue silk gown as it passed. His old heart was so restless and unruly, he began to wonder seriously if something had gone wrong with the internal mechanism. Cards, drinks, old friends, all were forgotten that evening ; he had no thought but for that figure in the blue silk dress that was ever before his eyes. He had experienced hallucinations before, when things seemed to dance round and round, but to-night, with nothing stronger than soda water — neat — it was past all comprehension. In a circle of men, old and young, stood Emilie Rantzau, smiling and alert. She was sought after at every dance, until Mrs. Thor Smith, nee Tulla Prois, observed indignantly that one might think the men had never seen a woman from another town before — and Heaven only knew what sort of a creature this one was. Mrs. Jansen herself began to be rather uneasy, when she saw her husband lead out the widow as his partner for the lancers — or " lunchers " as Ciha Braaten called it. And matters were not improved when the Consul started talking French with Mrs. Rantzau at supper, of which his wife did not understand a word. *' She's charming, my dear, a most interesting woman, and speaks French like an educated Parisienne," said Jansen to his wife. Poor Mrs. Jansen was beginning to experience the pangs of jealousy, and determined to purchase a French made Easy the very next day. " Bless my soul, if there isn't Justice Heidt asking the angelic widow for a dance," exclaimed Thor Smith, pulling Nachmann by the sleeve. " Angelic widow's good," said Nachmann " But 224 DRY FISH AND WET there's angels and angels, you know. And they'd have to be a bit on the dusky side to pair off with Old Nick, what ? " Mrs. Heidt got up and went into an adjoining room, sending her husband a glance as she passed which sobered him considerably for the moment. It was not long, however, before the brilliant dark eyes had made him forget both his dignity and his domestic obhgations. Old Nick was very taciturn that evening as he walked home with Mrs. Rantzau. She, however, laughed and joked, and told stories of " all those silly old men " with such wit and good humour that he was forced to admit it would have been a pity not to have gone to the ball. " Yes, a very jolly evening ; very nice indeed, yes.** On the following day the " angeUc widow " and her conquests at the ball were the general topic of conversation. The ladies, old and young, married and the reverse, agreed that she was detestable, and were sure there must be something " queer " about her. Mrs. Heidt and Mrs. Knap had a two hours* consultation together, at the end of which it was decided that no effort should be spared to check " that woman's " further encroachment upon local society. All the men, with exception of Thor Smith and Nach- mann, were enthusiastic in praise of the new arrival, and her popularity on that side was assured. Emilie Rantzau, however, had her own plans, and let people talk as they pleased. One day she astonished Mrs. Jansen by calHng on her with a proposal that the ladies of the town should get up a bazaar in aid of the Seamen's Families Relief EMILIE RANTZAU 225 Fund. On another occasion she went to Mrs. Heidt, and begged her to support the National Women's Movement ; she also invited Governor Abrahamsen to help start a society for helping ex-convicts to turn over a new leaf. Even Klementsen was urged to help her in getting up a subscription for a new altar-piece. In addition to these more or less philanthropic movements, she arranged excursions to the country round, the beauties of which, she declared, were not appreciated as they should be, and further, obtained the assistance of Consul Jansen in forming a Society for the Furtherance of the Tourist Traffic in Strandvik and Neighbourhood. The Consul was delighted with the idea, and vowed he must have been blind not to have discovered earlier the natural beauties of the neighbourhood. He gave a grand champagne supper and proposed Mrs. Rantzau's health in a speech, concluding by com- paring that lady to "a breath of ocean fresh and free." The toast was received with acclamation. Altogether, the upper circles of Strandvik society were thrown into a state of unprecedented excitement and activity. Mrs. Heidt, Mrs. Knap and Mrs. Abrahamsen vied with one another in their efforts to outdo Mrs. Rantzau ; they would show her at least that they were as good as she. It was a fight to the bitter end. Societies were started, with " evenings " after, where Emilie Rantzau's plans were discussed. Mrs. Heidt thought and thought till she grew giddy and had to have hot fomentations of an evening ; the unusual mental effort had brought on insomnia. 15 226 DRY FISH AND WET Sukkerstad hoped to find in Mrs. Rantzau an ally to the cause of temperance, and paid her a ceremonial call, in company with Watchmaker Rordam, who,* a short while back, had suddenly joined the Temperance Association, " Strandvik's Pride." And the pair of them explained to her, with all the eloquence at their command, how greatly her patronage would be appre- ciated by all. Emilie Rantzau, however, hardly thought her own interests in the town would be greatly furthered by closer association with Sukkerstad and his circle ; on the other hand, it was just as well to keep on good terms with all sections of local society. She therefore informed the deputation that she would think over the matter, and assured them meanwhile of her earnest sympathy with the good cause. The same day she hurried up to Consul Jansen, switched on her eloquent dark eyes, and suggested that the Temperance Movement was one they ought to support, but that the best way of doing so would be to get up a little subscription, and raise enough for an excursion — a steamer trip for the afternoon, with tea and lemonade. ** It would look well, you know, and all that — and get them off our hands for a bit," she added meaningly. No one could refuse her, and in the course of one afternoon she managed to collect eight pounds, which she dispatched to Sukkerstad and Rordam for the purpose indicated. Sukkerstad was so enthusiastic in his appreciation that he determined to convene a meeting of the committee and propose a vote of thanks and an address. All the members turned up, with the exception of Rordam, wjio, in his joy at the eight pounds, had given EMILIE RANTZAU 227 way to a sudden relapse, which rendered him incapable of further temperance work for the time being. After some discussion, the committee decided to purchase a portrait of Mrs. Rantzau from the photo- grapher, and hang it up in their hall ; this was voted preferable to the address. Mrs. Heidt was beginning to lag behind ; it was impossible to keep pace with a woman of such untiring energy and initiative as Mrs. Rantzau. Four ladies were gathered one day in her drawing- room, to talk over what was to be done ; they could not suffer themselves to be set aside like this. What they wanted was some grand idea, something to vanquish the enemy at a single blow, and show the rest of the town that Emilie Rantzau was not wanted. It was Mrs. Knap who had the happy thought — the Peace Movement. The cause of universal peace was surely one which nobody in Strandvik could refuse to aid. Mrs. Abrahamsen was more inclined to concentrate on a bazaar and lottery in aid of the proposed crema- torium, which institution she regarded as most desirable from the humane, the sanitary and various other points of view. Mrs. Knap protested energetically against the idea ; she had recently had an accident with a box of matches, which had gone off suddenly and burnt her hand. She for her part would have nothing more to do with burning — for the present, at any rate. Finally, after some heated argument, it was agreed that a grand harvest festival should be held, the proceeds to be devoted to the cause of universal peace. Emilie Rantzau was to be kept out of it altogether ; 228 DRY FISH AND WET they would not have her help in the arrangements, not a contribution — not so much as a bunch of flowers was to come from her ; it was to be a festival " for ourselves and by ourselves." The old ladies were already triumphant ; this intriguing minx, this person from nowhere, who had tried to force herself into society, should be made to feel their power and her own insignificance. The festival was to be held in the park on Sunday, from five to nine ; there would be illuminations, coloured lanterns, fireworks and so on. Singing, — male and female choir, — lecture by a Professor from Christiania, recitation by a famous actor, solos by an amateur and an " amatrice *' — it was a programme so magnificent that the whole town was amazed. Meantime, Mrs. Rantzau sat quietly at home, in her pink morning-gown, pouring out coffee for Nickelsen. She was very quiet and gentle in manner — there was a curious atmosphere about the situation generally. There lay the morning papers, white, uncrumpled, untouched. The coffee now seethed gently in little regular gasps, like a school-mistress out on a mountain- eering expedition ; the sun peeped in through the windows, casting gay gleams over Old Nick's white mop of hair and Emilie's raven locks. " Why shouldn't I be happy the few years I've still to live ? And who is to have my money when I'm gone ? " Old Nick sat staring absently before him. She bent over towards him, handing his cup ; he felt her soft, curling tresses close to his cheek, and her hand just touched his own. " Mrs. Rantzau ! " he exclaimed, flushing as he spoke ; his voice was unsteady. " Why, how serious you are all of a sudden I You EMILIE RANTZAU 229 quite frightened me/' she said, with a laugh, looking up at him innocently. " Mrs. Rantzau," he began again, " do you know that poem of Byronson, that — that begins : "'When blushing blood. In humble mood Turns to the man whose mind is proved. When timid, shy She seeks . . .'" " Lord bless me, old boy, spouting poetry so early in the morning ! Did you think it was Constitution Day — or the day after ? '* Old Nick looked round anything but amiably at Nachmann's unbeautiful face smihng in the doorway ; Mrs. Rantzau left the room without a word. A long and earnest conference ensued between the two men, after which they went out for a long walk together. Emilie Rantzau felt now that her position was secure ; it was only a question of time before she could appear as Mrs. Nickelsen. And inwardly she vowed vengeance on the women who had systematically excluded her from the Peace Festival ; she pondered how best to get even with Mrs. Heidt and the rest. It took a deal of thinking out, but at last she hit upon a way. Quickly she put on her things, and hurried round to her faithful supporter. Consul Jansen. On Saturday evening, the Strandvik News appeared, and created an indescribable sensation throughout the town by printing immediately under the big announce- ment of the festival in the park, the following lines : "iV.B. N.B. " After the conclusion of the festival, an impromptu 230 DRY FISH AND WET dance for young people will take place in the Town Hall. Tickets, three shillings each. The surplus will be devoted to the Society for Tending Sick and Wounded in the Field. Mrs. Emma Jansen and Mrs. Emilie Rantzau have kindly consented to act as hostesses." Mrs. Heidt started up in a fury, and declared it was a disgraceful piece of trickery on the part of that Emilie Rantzau. She could forgive Mrs. Jansen, perhaps, as being too much of a simpleton herself to see through the artful meanness of the whole thing. On Sunday evening, after the festival, all the young people and a number of the older ones flocked to the Town Hall, where Mrs. Rantzau received them with her most winning smile. Mrs. Heidt, Mrs. Knap and Mrs. Abrahamsen went each to their several homes, boiUng with indignation ; they had not even been invited to look on. Some few there were, perhaps, who failed to see any immediate connection between a Peace Festival and the Society for Tending Sick and Wounded in the Field, but all enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and that, after all, was the main thing. Emilie Rantzau was the queen of the ball, and well aware of it. She felt she had vanquished her rivals now, and was left in victorious possession of the field. One thing, however, caused her some slight anxiety, and that was that Nickelsen did not put in an appear- ance, though he had promised to come on later — what could it mean ? Old Nick was sitting at home, deep in thought, and with him were Thor Smith, Nachmann and Warden Prois. EMILIE RANTZAU 231 " You must see and get clear of this, Nickelsen/' said Prois warmly, laying one hand on his shoulder. " Yes, I suppose I must. But the worst of it is, I've got fond of her, you see, and I've been hoping she'd brighten up the few years I've got left." " I know, I know," said Prois. " I've been through exactly the same thing myself, a few years back, but, thanks to Providence, I got out of it all right." ** Don't blame it on Providence, Warden," put in Nachmann. " It was that telegraph fellow you had to thank for cutting you out." "It's not a matter for joking," said Prois sharply ; and Nachmann withdrew to a corner of the sofa, quite depressed by the seriousness of the situation. Thor Smith could stand it no longer ; this un- wonted solemnity was too much for him. He slipped out into the hall, and, sitting down on an old leather trunk, laughed till he cried. There was a long conference at Old Nick's that evening, and it was one o'clock before he faithfully promised to follow his friends' advice, and thrust out Emilie Rantzau from his house and heart. How this was to be accomplished must be decided later ; meantime the conspirators would take it in turn to dine with Old Nick and spend the rest of the day with him, to guard against any backsliding. Old Nick agreed to it all, helplessly as a child. How could they get her to go ? The question was argued and discussed, but no one could hit upon any reasonable plan. At last they decided to call in Peter Oiland, who had lately been on terms of intimacy with Old Nick, and see what he could do. Peter Oiland put on a serious face, and looked doubtfully over at Prois, whose mind was becoming 232 DRY FISH AND WET almost unhinged by these everlasting conferences and endless discussions, while the seriousness of the situa- tion forbade any over-hasty steps. " Well, we can't very well turn her out by force/' said Peter Oiland. " The only thing to do is to try and get at the soft side of her : an appeal to the heart, you understand." " H'm ; her heart's Uke the drawers in my store," said Nachmann. " In and out according to what's wanted." Peter Oiland determined nevertheless to make an attempt. He would say nothing for the present as to the details of his plan ; he had an idea, and hoped it might succeed. Meantime, Emilie Rantzau continued her triumphant progress ; she was leading society in Strandvik. Her dresses, her manner, were a standing topic among the ladies of the town, who hated and admired her at once. She on her part was happy enough, but at a loss to understand why Nickelsen was so unpardon- ably tardy in making his declaration ; still, it could only be a question of time ; she felt safe enough. One day there came a letter from Christiania, which in a flash threw Strandvik and its entire society into the background. It ran as follows : " My dear Emilie Rantzau, — Years, many years, have passed since we last met. Do you remember a fair young man whom you often saw at Mrs. Moller's, when you were a boarder there as a girl ? But there were so many of us young students who were all more or less in love with you at that time, and I hardly dare suppose you would have any special recollection of my humble self. It would be only natural that ) EMILIE RANTZAU 233 you should have forgotten. But I have never, never forgotten Emilie Storm, as you were then. " I was poor and imknown at the time, and poor, alas, I remained for many years, until at last I had no longer any hope of meeting you again, as I had dreamed — yet I have followed your career, and kept myself informed as to your circumstances. I learned of your husband's death, and that you are now obliged to earn your livehhood as housekeeper to an old bachelor in a Httle out-of-the-way place. " To think that you — you, Emilie, who have never for a single day been absent from my thoughts, should be wasting away your life among the yokels of an insignificant seaport town. " And I — I am alone and lonely now, back at home after many long years of toil in the great cities of Europe, and the fortune I have made is useless to me. For money cannot purchase happiness, or bring back the dreams of youth. " Emilie, shall we try to come together ? Shall we renew our old acquaintance, and see if we can find that mutual sympathy which binds one hfe to another ? '* If you are willing, then let us meet. My name you need not know. I should prefer you to find me as I am now, not as the ardent youth I was when first we met, but as a man, sobered by trials and experience, who has nevertheless maintained the ideals of early days unscathed throughout the battle of Hfe. You may reply to Abraham Hertz. " POSTE RESTANTE, ChRISTIANIA." She read the letter through a dozen times at least, and sat puzzling her brains to try and recollect a 234 DRY FISH AND WET " fair young man," who had been one of her admireis at Mrs. MoUer's. She could make nothing of it. She had been only seventeen at the time, and had had such a host of admirers before and since ; it was too much to expect that she should recollect them all. But was it meant in earnest now, or was the whole thing a vulgar hoax ? This lawyer of hers was but a poor creature after all ; red-nosed, almost a dotard — ugh ! To think of getting away from it all and go to Christiania, perhaps Paris, Vienna, Rome — away ! And then to be rich — rich ! Poverty was a dreadful thing to face, dreadful even to think of. Was she to grow old, and ugly, and poor ? " Mr. Abraham Hertz, — Your kind letter received. I set great store by old friends, and should therefore be glad to renew the acquaintance, but must confess that I am unwilling to enter upon a correspondence with one who remains anonymous. How can I be sure that I am not exposing myself to a mischievous practical joke ? " I should be glad of a photo, in order if possible to identify the ' fair young man.' E. R." Two days later came a registered letter. " Mrs. Emilie Rantzau, — How could you ever think I was joking ? However, that you may no longer doubt for a moment the seriousness of my intentions, I enclose £50, with the request that you will come to Christiania as soon as possible. If you will put up at Mrs. Irving's pension, I will meet you there. ** Enclosed is a photo of the fair young man, but EMILIE RANTZAU 235 for Heaven's sake do not imagine that it resembles your admirer now, with his eight-and-forty years. — Au revoir. A. H." Emilie had never handled a £50 note before in her life. She spread it out on the table, smoothing it with her fingers so tenderly that Old Nick, had he seen her, would have been frantic with jealousy. She even kissed the portrait of His Majesty in the corners before hiding the note away in her breast. Old Nick was utterly astonished when Mrs. Rantzau informed him that she found herself compelled to leave Strandvik, the air, unfortunately, did not agree with her. She seemed, too, remarkably cool in her manner towards him ; her customary smile had faded somewhat, and her ardent eyes, that had been wont to focus themselves upon his own, seemed now to flicker vaguely in no particular direction. Mrs. Rantzau's sudden departure occasioned much comment. Her most faithful admirer, Consul Jansen, turned up with a big bunch of flowers, and hoisted the flag in his garden at half-mast. Old Nick, of course, went down to the quay to see her off. As a matter of fact, however, he was now beginning to find the situation rather humorous — a symptom which Thor Smith diagnosed as indicating that his old friend was well on the way at least to convalescence, if not to complete recovery. Mrs. Rantzau stood on the upper deck in her dark blue dress, with the little toque coquettishly aslant on her head. She waved her handkerchief, and Consul Jansen cried : " Adieu, au revoir ! " " Merci, Monsieur le Consul ; je regrette que vous soyez oblige de rester ici parmi ces dromadaires-ci." 236 DRY FISH AND WET That was Emilie Rantzau's farewell to Strandvik. As for Old Nick, she did not even grant him so much as a nod. On the way home he encountered a procession of urchins, ragged, bare-legged and boisterous, waving Japanese fans and Chinese parasols — properties which he seemed to recognise. " Here, you boys, where did you get those things from ? " " Mr. Nachmann gave us them. He threw them out of Nickelsen's window," cried the youngsters in chorus. " H'm," grunted Old Nick. " Very funny . . ." and he stalked on his way. Nachmann and Prois were busy moving the sofas back against the wall, and restoring the card-table to its former place. " Here, what do you think you're doing ? " shouted Nickelsen from the doorway. " Salvage Corps, getting ready for a little party," said the Warden dryly. That evening Old Nick's little circle of friends assembled at his house. Cards and the tray of glasses were laid out as in the old days. The host, in his old brown dressing-gown, sat with his slippered feet up on the table, and puffed at his long-stemmed pipe. " Well, you may think yourself lucky to have got out of that as you did," said Nachmann, touching Old Nick's glass with his own. " I can't think what made her go off like that, all of a sudden," said Old Nick, almost wistfully. " You can thank Peter Oiland for that," said Thor Smith. " Peter Oiland ? " EMILIE RANTZAU 237 " Yes, it was he that got her away. What about those letters you sent her, Oiland ? What did you say in them ? " " H'm," said Oiland, with a serious air. " My dear friends, it is ill jesting with affairs of the heart. Emilie Rantzau's secret is locked for ever in my breast." And he gazed reflectively into his glass as he stirred his grog. ** How did you manage to get them sent from Christiania ? " " Posted them myself when I was in with Sukkestad, my respected father-in-law to be, buying furniture/' " But the photo, and Mrs. MoUer's, and all that ? " " Well, the photo was one Maria Sukkestad gave me last year of her beloved spouse — taken years ago, when they were engaged." *' Oh, Peter, you're a marvel ! But suppose she'd recognised him ? " " I hardly think she could," said Oiland dryly. " But how did you know about Mrs. Moller's ? " " She told Mrs. Jansen she'd stayed there, and I heard about it after. But all that was easy enough. The worst thing was, it came so expensive — £50 is a lot of money," and he sighed. " £50 ? " said Nickelsen, looking up sharply. " What do you mean ? " Thor Smith rapped his glass, and said with mock solemnity : " Our efforts in the cause of freedom having met with the success they deserve, we naturally look to you, as the intended victim, for reimbursement of all costs incurred in effecting your deliverance. And we hope after this you'll have the sense to know when you're well off, and not go running your head into a 238 DRY FISH AND WET noose again, old man. Three cheers for Old Nick — hurrah ! " It was a festive evening, culminating in a song written specially for the occasion : " Our dear Old Nick is a queer old stick. And a bachelor gay was he, Till the widow's charms occasioned alarms, In the rest of the Company. This will never do, said we. We must settle affairs with she. So we played for Old Nick, and We won the trick, And a bachelor still is he — Give it with three times three — A bachelor gay, and we hope he may Continue so to be 1 " XVI I THE EVA MARIA CLOSE on seven-and-thirty years now since I came aboard as skipper of the Eva Maria, and you can understand, Nils Petter, it's a bit queer like for me to be handing her over now to anyone else," said old Bemt Jorgensen solemnly. His brother, Nils Petter, Ustened respectfully. " Never a thing gone wrong. I've always been able to reckon out exactly what the four trips to Scotland and Holland each summer brought in ; but then, as you know, Nils Petter, I didn't go dangling about on shore with the other skippers, throwing money away on whisky and such-Uke trash." " No, you've always been a steady one," said Nils Petter quietly. *' Ay, steady it is, and steady it's got to be, and keep a proper account of everything. In winter, when I was at home with the mother, I'd always go through all expenses I'd had the summer past ; that way I could keep an eye on every Uttle thing." " Ay, you've been careful enough about little things, that's true. I remember that tar bucket we threw overboard once. We never heard the last of it all that winter." " It's just that very thing. Nils Petter, that I've got 239 240 DRY FISH AND WET to thank for having a bit laid by, or anyhow, the Eva Maria's free of debt, and that's all I ask/* Old Bernt was not anxious to go into details as to the nice Uttle sum he had laid up with Van Hegel in Amsterdam, not to speak of the httle private banking account that had been growing so steadily for years. " Not but that I've need enough to earn a Httle more," he went on ; " but Tve made up my mind now to give up the sea, though it's hard to leave the old Eva Maria that's served me so well." Bernt Jorgensen had been very doubtful about handing over the vessel to Nils Fetter's command. Nils was a good seaman enough, but with one serious failing : he invariably ran riot when he got ashore, and there was no holding him. Still, Nils Fetter was his only brother, and perhaps when he found himself skipper he would come to feel the responsibility of his position, and improve accord- ingly. Anyhow, one could but try it. Nils Fetter stood watching his brother attentively, as the latter solemnly concluded : " Well, you're skipper of the Eva Maria from now on. Nils Fetter, and I hope and trust you'll bear in mind the duty you owe to God and your owners." Nils Fetter grasped his brother's hand and shook it so heartily that Bernt could feel it for days — ^it was at any rate a reminder that Nils Fetter had serious intentions of reforming. But Nils Fetter was the happy man ! First of all, he had to go ashore and tell the good news to his old friend, Trina Thoresen, who, it may be noted, had been one of his former sweethearts. She had married Thoresen as the only means of avoiding a scandal, and murmured resignedly as she did so : " Ah, well, THE EVA MARIA 241 it can't be helped. Nils Petter can't marry us all, poor fellow ! " Nils Fetter's large, round face was one comprehen- sive smile, and his huge fists all but crushed the life out of Schoolmaster Pedersen, who was impudent enough to offer his hand in congratulation. " Skipper ! " said Nils Petter. " Captain, you mean — he — he ! " and he laughed till the houses echoed half-way up the street, and Mrs. Pedersen looked out of the window to see what all the noise was about. Nils Petter was undoubtedly the most popular character in the town ; he was intimate with every one, regardless of sex or social standing. " A cheery, good-natured soul," was the general estimate of Nils Petter — somewhat too cheery, perhaps, at times ; but never so much so that he abused his gigantic strength, of which wonderful stories were told. At any rate it took a great deal to move him to anger. He was in constant difficulties about money, for as often as he had any to spare, he would give it away or lend it. Now and again, when especially hard up, he would apply to his " rich brother " as he called him, and never failed to receive assistance, together with a long sermon on the evils of extravagance, which he listened to most penitently, but the meaning of which he had never to this day been able to realise himself. Well, now we shall see how he got on as officer in command of the Eva Maria, vice that careful old model of a skipper, Bernt Jorgensen. The vessel was fixed for Dundee, with a cargo of battens from Drammen, and Bernt had himself seen to everything in the matter of stores and provisions, etc., according 16 242 DRY FISH AND WET to the old regime. Nils Petter certainly found the supplies of meat and drink on board a trifle scanty — drink, especially so. Six bottles of fruit syrup — h'm. Nils Petter thought he might at least make a cautious suggestion. " Say, Brother Bernt, you're sure you haven't forgotten anything. Fresh meat, for instance, and a bottle or so of spirits ? " f j" Never has been spirits on board the Eva Maria/* answered Bernt shortly. And Nils Petter was obliged to sail with fruit syrup instead. Just outside Horten, however, they were becalmed, and the Eva Maria anchored up accordingly. " D'you know this place at all, Ola ? " said Nils Petter to his old friend Ola Simonsen, the boatswain, as they got the anchor down. " Surely, Captain — know it ? Why, I was here with the old Desideria serving my time." " Right you are, then. We'll get out the boat and go on shore first for a look round." It was late that night when they returned. Nils Petter at the oars, and Ola sleeping the sleep of the just in the bottom of the boat. Nils Petter was singing and laughing so he could be heard half a mile off. After considerable effort he managed to hoist the boatswain over the vessel's side, the whole crew laughing uproariously, including Nils Petter himself, who was quite pleased with the whole adventure, and cared not a jot for discipline and his dignity as skipper. Ola Simonsen having been safely deposited on board. Nils Petter handed up a number of items in addition. One large joint of beef, six pork sausages, one ham, one case of tinned provisions, and one marked signi- ficantly, " Glass : with care." Towards morning a light, northerly breeze sprang THE EVA MARIA 243 up, and they weighed anchor again. Nils Petter, instead of pacing the after-part with his hands behind his back, as became the dignity of a captain, came forward and took up his post beside the windlass, sent the rest of the crew briskly about their business, and fell to singing with the full force of his lungs, till the agent on the quay went in for his glasses to see what was happening. Nils Petter was the very opposite of his brother, who would make a whole voyage without saying a word to his crew except to give the necessary orders. Nils Petter, on the other hand, chatted with the men and lent a hand with the work Hke any ordinary seaman. Altogether, the relations between captain and crew were such as would have been thoroughly pleasant and cordial ashore. There were beefsteaks for dinner as long as the beef lasted out, and Nils Petter shared in brotherly fashion with the rest — there was no distinction of rank on board in that respect ; it was an ideal socialistic Utopia ! The case marked '* Glass : with care '* was opened, and each helped himself at will, till only the straw packing remained. It was a cheery, comfortable life on board, as all agreed, not least Nils Petter, who laughed and sang the whole day long. No one had ever dreamed of such a state of things on board the Eva Maria, least of all Bernt Jorgensen, who was fortunately in ignorance of the idyllic conditions now prevailing in his beloved ship. The only occasion throughout the voyage when any real dissension arose between Nils Petter and his crew was when opening one of the tins brought on board at Horten. The contents defied identification despite 244 DRY FISH AND WET the most careful scrutiny. The label certainly said " Russian Caviare/' but Nils Petter and the rest were none the wiser for that. A general council was accord- ingly held, with as much solemnity as if the lives of all were in peril on the sea. *' I've a sort of idea the man in the shop said eat it raw," ventured Nils Petter. Ola Simonsen was reckless enough to try. " Ugh — pugh — ^urrrgh ! " he spluttered. " Of all the . . ." " Itsch — ^hitch — huh ! " said Thoresen, the mate. " Better trying cooking it, I think." (This Thoresen, by the way, was the husband of Trina Thoresen, before mentioned, and a good friend of Nils Petter, who, in moments of exaltation would call him brother-in-law, which Thoresen never seemed to mind in the least.) While the tin of caviare was under discussion, all on board, from the ship's boy to the captain, were assembled in the forecastle, intent on the matter in hand. So much so, indeed, that the Eva Maria, then left to her own devices, sailed slap into a schooner laden with coal, that was rude enough to get in her way. Fortunately, no great damage was done beyond carrjdng away the schooner's jib-boom, and matters were settled amicably with the schooner's captain, whom Nils Petter presented with an odd spar he happened to have on deck and the six bottles of fruit syrup, which he was only too pleased to ^^t rid of. And the Eva Maria continued her course in the same cheerful spirit as heretofore. Nils Fetter's first exploit on arriving at Dundee was to send the harbour-master headlong into the dock, whence he was with difficulty dragged out. He got THE EVA MARIA 245 off with a fine of £20, which was entered in the ship's accounts as " unforeseen expenses/' Those on board found themselves comfortable enough, the skipper being for the most part ashore. This, however, was hardly fortunate for the owner, as Nils Fetter's shore-going disbursements were by no means inconsiderable, including, as they did, little occasional extras, such as £12, los. for a plate-glass window in the bar of the " Duck and Acid-drop," through which aforesaid window Nils had propelled a young gentleman whom he accused of throwing orange-peel. At last the Eva Maria was clear of Dundee, and after Nils Fetter had provisioned her according to his lights — which ranged from fresh meat to ginger-beer and double stout — there remained of the freight money just on £y. This he considered was not worth sending home, and invested it therefore in a cask of good Scotch whisky, thinking to gladden his brother there- with on his return. Nils Fetter and the Eva Maria then proceeded without further adventure on their homeward way, arriving in the best of trim eight days after. The first thing to do was to go up to the owners and report. Nils Fetter was already in the boat, with the whisky, and Ola Simonsen at the oars. " What the devil am I to say about the money ? " muttered Nils Fetter to himself, as he sat in the stern. For the first time since the voyage began he felt troubled and out of spirits. " Fair good voyage it's been, Captain," said Ola, resting on his oars. " Ay, fair good voyage is all very well, but the money, Ola, what about that ? " 246 DRY FISH AND WET Ola lifted his cap and scratched his head. " Why, you haven't left it behind, then, Captain, or what ? '* " Why, it's Uke this, Ola ; there's expenses, you know, on a voyage — oh, but it's no good trying that on ; he knows all about it himself. H'm ... I wish to goodness I could think of something." Nils Petter frowned, and looked across at the cask of whisky. Ola, noticing the direction of his glance, observed consolingly that it ought to be a welcome present. *' Ay, if that was all," said Nils Petter, " but the beggar's a teetotaller." They landed at the quay. Nils Petter and Ola got the cask ashore, and rolled it together over to Bernt Jorgensen's house. The owner was out in the garden, eating cherries with the parson, who had come to call. At sight of the latter. Nils Petter gave Ola a nudge, and ordered him to take the cask round the back way, while he himself walked solemnly up to his brother and saluted. " You've made a quick voyage," said Bernt Jorgen- sen, his voice trembling a Httle. "I'd been expecting to hear from you by letter before now, though." And he looked up sternly. " Yes — yes, I suppose . . . you're thinking of the freight," said Nils Petter, inwardly deciding that it might be just as well to get it over at once, especially now the parson was here. *' It was always my way to send home the freight money as soon as I'd drawn it," said Bernt Jorgensen quietly. " Expenses come terribly heavy in Dundee just now," said Nils Petter. '* And — and — well, it's hard to make ends meet anyhow these times." Here an unexpected reinforcement came to his aid. I THE EVA MARIA 247 The parson nodded, and observed that he heard the same thing on all sides ; hard times iov shipping trade just now. The parson, indeed, never heard anything else, as his parishioners invariably told him the same story, as a sort of delicate excuse for the smallness of their contribution. When the brothers were alone. Nils Petter had to come out with the truth, that all he had to show for the trip was one cask of whisky. *' That I brought home, meaning all for the best, Bernt, and thinking £7 wasn't worth sending.** Bernt, however, was of a different opinion, and delivered a lengthy reprimand, ending up with the words, " The Eva Maria's never made a voyage like that before. Ah, Nils Petter, I'm afraid you're the prodigal son." Nils Petter bowed his head humbly, but reflected inwardly that if all the prodigal sons had been as comfortably off on their travels as he had on that voyage, they wouldn't have been so badly off after all. As for the cask of whisky, Nils Petter was ordered to drive in with it to Drammen and sell it there, which he did, after first privately drawing off six bottles and supplying the deficiency with water. If Bernt Jorgensen had had his doubts the first time Nils Petter went on board the Eva Maria as skipper, his misgivings now were naturally increased a thousand- fold. Nils Petter, however, promised faithfully to reform, and send home a thumping remittance, if only he might be allowed to make one more voyage. And in the end, Bernt, with brotherly affection, let him have his way. This time the charter was for Niewendiep, or "/Nyndyp," as it was generally called, which port 248 DRY FISH AND WET Bernt knew inside and out, as he said, so that Nils Petter could not palm off any fairy-tales about it. The voyage was as quick as the preceding one, and, less than four weeks from sailing, Nils Petter appeared once more rowing in to the quay. This time, however, he brought with him, not a cask of whisky, but " some- thing altogether different " — ^in honour of which the Eva Maria was decked out with all the bunting on board. Bernt Jorgensen had come down himself to the waterside on seeing the vessel so beflagged, as it had not been since the day of his own wedding, thirty years before. He stood shading his eyes with one hand, as he watched Nils Petter in the boat coming in. " What on earth was that he had got in the stern ? Something all tied about with fluttering red ribbons." " Hey, brother ! *' hailed Nils Petter joyfully, stand- ing up in the boat. " Here's a remittance, if you like ! " And he pointed to a buxom young woman who sat nodding and smiling at his side. Without undue ceremony he hoisted the lady by one arm up on to the quay, and the pair stood facing Bernt, who stared speechlessly from one to the other. " Here's your brother-in-law, my dear," said Nils Petter in a dialect presumably meant for Dutch, nudging the fair one with his knee in a part where Hollanders are generally supposed to be well up- holstered. The impetus sent her ^ying into the arms of Bernt, who extricated himself humidly. " Her name's Jantjedina van Groot, my good and faithful wife," Nils Petter explained. Bernt Jorgensen, who had not yet recovered from his astonishment, only grunted again and again : " H'm — h'm " and THE EVA MARIA 249 made haste towards home, followed by Nils Petter and his bride. This time nothing was said about the freight money, which was just as well for all concerned, seeing it had all been spent in the purchase of various household goods and extra provisions with which to celebrate the occasion. Nils Fetter's new relations in Holland, too, had had to be treated in hospitable fashion — which was just as well for them, since he never called there again ! Bernt Jorgensen decided that it would be more economical to pension off Nils Petter, and get a skipper of the old school to take over the Eva Maria ; after which there was rarely any trouble about the freight money. ** Ah, but expenses now aren't what they were in my time," Nils Petter would say. Which, in one sense, was perfectly true. XVIII THE HENRIK IBSEN '* W TELL, and what are you doing with that brat V/^ of yours, Birkeheineren,*' asked Hansen the shipbroker, one day, meeting Soren Braaten in the street. " Got any freight yet ? '* " No, worse luck. These wretched steamers take all there is. I can't see what's the good of steam any- way We got along all right without it before, but it's all different now. Doesn't give a poor man time to breathe." " Yes, the old windjammers are rather out of it now," Hansen agreed. *' Going to rack and ruin, as far as I can see. And what's the sense of all this hurry and skurry, when all's said and done. It's against nature, that's what I say. When I think how we used to get along in the old days. Why, I never heard but that the merchants over in England and Holland were pleased enough with the cargoes when they got there, whether we'd been a fortnight or a month on the way, and we made a decent living out of it and so did they. But now ? As soon as a steamer comes along, it's all fuss and excitement and bother and complaint all round." " You ought to see and get hold of a steamboat THE HENRIK IBSEN 251 yourself, Soren ; we mustn't be behindhand with every- thing, you know. Why, up in Drammen now, they've seven or eight of them already." " Thank you for nothing. Let them buy steamers that cares to ; it won't be Soren Braaten, though." And Soren walked homeward, inwardly anathematis- ing the inventor of steam, who might have found a better use for his time than causing all that trouble to his fellow-men. Cilia was in the kitchen when he came in ; the first thing she asked was whether he had got a charter for Birkebeineren. The vessel had been lying in Christiania now for nearly a month ; such a thing had never happened before. Remittances ? Alas, these had so dwindled of late as to be almost microscopic. Things were looking gloomy all round. Cilia sat by the fire looking thoughtfully into the blaze. She dropped her knitting, and stuck the odd needle into her hair, that was fastened in a coil at the back of her head. The wool rolled to the floor, but when Soren stooped to pick it up, she ordered him sharply to leave it alone. There was something in her voice that startled Soren. Ever since the battle royal of a few years back, she had been quiet and sensible, and things had gone on between them as smoothly as could be wished. Suddenly she rose to her feet, and stood with one hand on her hip, the other holding the bench. " Soren, it's no good ; we can't go on like this any longer." Soren gave a start ; he could feel there was thunder in the air. 252 DRY FISH AND WET " We'll have to buy a steamer. Sailing-ships are out of date." " What's that you say, mother ? We two old folks to go fussing about with steam ? Nay, I'd rather stick to the old planks till they rot ! " But Cilia went on firmly, altogether unmoved. " We've a decent bit of money in the bank, and shares in other things besides, but the interest's not what it might be, and I don't see the sense of letting other people take all the profits that's to be made out of shipping, while we that's nearest at hand are left behind." *' I don't suppose they're overdone with profits, these here steamboats, when it comes to the point," grumbled Soren. And no more was said about the matter for that day. But Cilia pondered and speculated still ; she read the shipping papers and the shipbrokers' circulars as earnestly as she studied lesson and collect on Sundays. She found a valuable ally, too, in her son-in-law, Skipper Abrahamsen, who was tired of the " old hulk," as he called Birkebeineren, and longed to be captain of a steamer himself. Fortunately, Soren never heard a word of this, or it would have been ill both for CiUa and Abrahamsen, for he could not bear to hear a word in dispraise of his beloved ship. Malvina, of course, sided with her husband and her mother, and their united efforts were daily brought to bear upon Soren, till at last he grew so tired of hearing about " that steamboat of ours," that he fled out of the house, and went round to call on Warden Prois whenever the talk turned that way. There was a Httle attic in the Braaten's house THE HENRIK IBSEN 253 that had never been used for anything but a box- room ; this was now cleared in secret by Cilia and Malvina, and then the three conspirators held meetings and discussions. Abrahamsen and Cilia had quietly made inquiries of various shipbuilding concerns, and received a mass of estimates and plans. Cilia studied the question of engines till her brain was going twelve knots easy. Compound and triple expansion, boiler plate, and cylinder stroke — her mind was busy with every detail ; for CiUa was not one to do things by halves when once she started. Abrahamsen was examined and cross-examined till the sweat poured off him ; he, of course, had to appear more or less familiar with all these things, since he aspired to command a steamer. Malvina sat silent, looking on with wide eyes and taking it all in ; she was looking forward to a free passage on a real steamboat for herself. Soren wondered a Httle what they could be up to in the attic, but, being comfortable enough below with a glass of grog and the Shipping Gazette, he let them stay there as long as they pleased. One evening, however, it struck him they were at it a good long time ; it was past eleven, and no sign of their coming down yet. Accordingly, he stole up quietly in his stocking feet, and looked through the keyhole. What he saw did not improve his temper. On a table in the middle of the room was the smartest httle steamer one could imagine. Red bottom, sides black above, with a gold streak, the rudder and two masts sloping a httle aft, flag at fore and maintop — a sight to see. CiUa, Malvina and Abrahamsen stood round examining the model with glee. Soren was about to retire, but stumbled over an old 254 DRY FISH AND WET trunk left outside, and fell head over heels into the room among the others. There was an awkward pause, until CiUa broke the silence by asking Soren : " What do you think of that — ^isn't she a beauty ? " pointing to the model as she spoke. *' Why, yes, she's a handsome boat enough," said Soren, rubbing his shins. " Oh, father, we must have a steamer of our own," said Malvina, coming up and clinging to his shoulder. '* Why, child, what are you doing here ? I thought you'd have had enough to do at home with the boy," he said softly. " It's the steamer we wanted to see. Mother thinks we could manage all right with compound, but Abrahamsen says it'll have to be triplets." " Triplets, forbid ! " muttered Abrahamsen. " Have it whatever way you please, for all I care," said Soren. And he stumped off downstairs. But the pressure from all sides was too much. Soren had to give way at last, and sign a formal docu- ment inviting subscriptions for shares in " a modem, up-to-date steamship." S. Braaten having entered his name for fifty shares at £50, it was hoped that the remainder would be subscribed by tradesfolk in the town. Cilia had laid stress on the importance of appealing to local patriotism, and the circular accordingly pointed out that " in neighbouring towns it has already been wisely recognised that the shipping of the future will be steam, and that the day of the sailing vessel is past ; our town alone, though it has always occupied a leading position in the shipping world, is sadly behindhand in this respect, counting as get not a single steamer. It is in order to meet this long-felt want " — etc. THE HENRIK IBSEN 255 The appeal to the citizens of Strandvik was not in vain. A few days later the necessary share capital was subscribed. Soren Braaten, however, was ill at ease ; it had gone against the grain to sign a document declaring that the day of the sailing vessel was past, and he would have Uked to add an explanatory note to the effect that he had signed under protest. There was no help for it, however ; for peace and quietness' sake he had to give way. At the preliminary general meeting, Soren was elected Managing Director of the Company, despite his most energetic protests. It was a fine sunny day when the Henrik Ibsen was due to appear. The name had been chosen at the suggestion of Lawyer Nickelsen, who explained it as fitting for a trading vessel, from the fact that the poet in question was expert at moving in dark waters and foggy regions, and made a very good living out of it ; he hoped that the steamer would do hkewise. Flags were in evidence all over the town, and the quay was crowded. Never had there been such ex- citement in Strandvik since the day of the Royal visit. Almost every other man was a shareholder ; even Klementsen the parish clerk and Pedersen the schoolmaster had, despite their widely differing poHtical views, gone halves together in a share. " From what I see in the papers about oil freights from New York and com freights from the Black Sea, the vessel ought to pay at least twenty per cent," said Pedersen, with an air of superior wisdom. And he brought out a big sheet of paper covered with calcula- 256 DRY FISH AND WET tions in English pounds, shillings and pence, which had taken him all the afternoon to work out. Klementsen had to put on his spectacles and study the figures earnestly ; which done, the two newly pledged shipowners solemnly declared " it looks like very good business.'* Nachmann was also a shareholder, but had only taken up his holding on condition that he should be purveyor of wines to the ship, " a smart, round vessel like that must get things from a decent firm." He had been busy to-day with a whole cart-load of various wines for the dinner, which the shareholders were to have on board during the trial trip. Away in the harbour lay the Apollo, Eva Maria, and Btrkebeineren ; they had had no charters this year. The old craft looked heavy and stout as they lay in the sweltering sun, with pitch oozing from their seams Hke black tears. It almost looked as if they were weeping at having to lie idle, instead of ploughing through the good salt waters off Lindemor or the Dogger. Soren Braaten, rowing out over the fjord to meet the steamer, passed close by his old ship Btrkebeineren. He cast a loving glance at the dear old piece of timber, and wished he had accepted any freight, however poor, so he had kept out of all this new-fangled business with engine-power and steam. He felt hke a traitor to his class, and to all the old things he loved. He passed the Eva Maria, and there was Bemt Jorgensen standing aft. Bernt had declined to take up shares in the steamer ; on the contrary, he had argued earnestly against the project, declaring that Strandvik owed too much to the old sailing ships not to hold by them to the last. THE HENRIK IBSEN tS7 " Aren't you coming on board the steamer ? " cried Soren as he came within hail. ** No, thankye, Fve no mind for it. Fm better where I am," answered Bernt, and, crossing over, sat down on the half-deck. He hoisted his flag with the rest, though he felt little inclined to ; but it would look strange if the Eva Maria were the only one to refrain. But the bunting was only half-way up when the halliards broke, and the flag remained at half-mast. Bernt felt it was something of an ill-omen. He went into his cabin, but through the porthole he could see the Henrik Ibsen come gliding into the harbour amid general salutation. The steamer was bright with brass work and new paint ; the great gilt letters of her name at the stern shone over the water. On the bridge stood Skipper Abrahamsen, with three gold bands on his cap, and all the crew were in uniform — blue jerseys, with the name worked in red. Bernt Jorgensen looked round his own cabin ; the worn, yellow-painted walls, the square of ragged canvas that did duty as a tablecloth, the sofa with its old cracked covering of American cloth — ^it was all poor enough, but would he change with the dandified newcomer over yonder ? He struck his fist on the table. *' Let's see if he's as smart at earning money as you've been, Eva Maria. It'll take him all his time, I fancy." The cheering sounded across the water, as he sat bowed over the table with his head in his arms, think- ing of old times, from the day he first went to sea with Uncle Gjermundsen, on board the Stjerna. Three shirts, a pair of canvas breeches, a straw-stuffed mattress 17 258 DRY FISH AND WET and a rug were all his kit. But what a clipper she was in those days, with her twelve knots close hauled. And Uncle Gjermundsen was the man to get the best out of her too. No gold-braided cap for him, and not much of a man to look at, little, dry and crooked-backed as he was ; but when he went overboard with a Hne that black November night to save the crew of an English brig on the reef and sinking, there was many an upstanding man might have been proud to know him. But he and his ship were gone now, and both the same way. He stood by his ship too long, last man on his own deck he would be, and so the rest were saved and he went down. But it was all in the papers about it, the speech that was made in his honour at the Seamen's Union, and the verse : " He stood alone on the sinking wreck, A sailor fearless and bold, For he knew that the last to leave the deck, Comes first when all is told." And what lads they were on board the Stjerna, tarry and weather-stained, but the harder it blew the smarter they went about it. There was Nils Sturika, that Christmas Eve off Jomfruland, when the pilot was to come aboard. The whole ship was like a lump of ice, and the fore-rigging ready to go by the board, with the lee shrouds and backstays torn away. They had to make the signal, but the foretop halliards were gone. And then it was Nils Sturika went up the top- gallant shrouds by his hands, with the flag in his teeth, and lashed it fast to the pole. But they got the pilot, and made in to Risorbank just in time. Nobody shouted hurrah for Nils, and a stiff nip of THE HENRIK IBSEN 259 grog was what he got when he came down; instead of a medal with ribbon and all that he'd maybe get nowadays. Bernt Jorgensen was roused from his meditation by the sound of the salute on board the Henrik Ibsen. He rose and went up on deck to see what was going on. The shareholders, with wives and children, nephews and nieces and relatives generally, were making a tour of the vessel. Cilia was down in the saloon, seated in state on a red plush sofa. She did not feel altogether comfortable, to tell the truth, having acquired a horror of showy furniture since her own escapade in that direction. But she was proud to feel that *' we " had achieved the distinction of giving Strandvik its first steamer. The trial trip was to take place while dinner was being served in the saloon. The Henrik Ibsen steamed along the fjord, befiagged from deck to top, and greeted with cheers from all along the waterside ; not a citizen of Strandvik but felt a thrill of pride in his citizenship that day. The dinner was a most festive affair. The conversa- tion ran gaily on the topic of freights and steamship traffic. Old Klementsen already saw in his mind's eye a whole fleet of Strandvik steamers putting out to sea with flags flying, and coming home laden deep with gold to the beloved Uttle town. Justice Heidt, guest of honour in his capacity as principal representative of local authority, made a speech, in which he referred to " Strandvik's first steam- ship, a tangible witness to the high degree of initiative among our business men. The vessel has been named after a great poet, and it is our hope that it will, like its famous namesake, add to our country's credit and 26o DRY FISH AND WET renown in distant lands. Good luck and prosperity to the Henrik Ibsen." The toast was received with hearty cheers from all. Someone proposed the health of Soren Braaten, as leader in the enterprise, and Cilia's too, as the guiding spirit of the undertaking ; then the captain's health was drunk, and many more. All were excited to a high pitch of enthusiasm. Old Klementsen, delighted to feel himself a shipowner, sat in a corner with a magnum of champagne before him, dehvered an oration on the subject of time- charter on the China coast ; he had read an article on the subject in a paper, and was greatly impressed by the same. " Beautifully steady, isn't she ? " said CiUa to her husband. Hardly had she spoken, however, when, " Brrr — drrrrum — drrrum — drrrum " — the passengers were thrown headlong in all directions, and Cilia herself was flung into the arms of Justice Heidt, the two striking their heads together with a force that made both dizzy for the moment. Bottles, glasses and plates were scattered about, adding to the general confusion. So violent was the shock that many thought the boiler had burst, and something approaching panic prevailed. Schoolmaster Pedersen was screaming like a maniac. In his anxiety to see what was happening, he had thrust his head through one of the portholes, and could not get it back despite his utmost efforts. Everyone else was too much occupied to help him, and there he stood, unable to move. The rest of the party hurried up on deck, all save Klementsen, who, having emptied his magnum, felt i THE HENRIK IBSEN 261 himself unable to get up the companion, and wisely refrained from making the attempt. The Henrik Ibsen had struck on a sunken reef. The excitement of the occasion, together with the generous good cheer, had had their effect on the crew, who had not paid much heed to their course, with the result that the vessel had taken her own, until brought up all standing by the unexpected obstacle. The bow had run right on the shelf of rock, and things looked distinctly unpleasant, until Soren Braaten explained that " unfortunately " there was shallow water on all sides, when the company began to feel somewhat easier in their minds. Cilia's head was treated with vinegar bandages, and Justice Heidt's nose bound up as if in sympathy with the damage inside. But the festive spirit among the shareholders generally was at a low ebb, and any- one taking advantage of the moment might have bought shares then at well below par. Aha, there is a tug already, the Storegut ; things looked brighter in a moment, perhaps they might get off at once. But then came the question, had she sprung a leak ? No ; sound as a bell. A proper sort of steamer this. A hawser was passed from the tug, then full speed astern — Hurrah — she's moving ! The Henrik Ibsen drew slowly off the reef and was soon clear once more. The passengers brightened up, and soon the steamer was on her way back to Strandvik, the tug standing by in case of need. Nachmann's supply of champagne was inexhaust- ible, and Thor Smith got on his feet with another speech for " the splendid vessel which has stood the test so manfully to-day. The Henrik Ibsen was not 262 DRY FISH AND WET built for picnic voyages over sunny seas ; no, she had shown what she could do and borne it magnificently." Cheers for the Henrik Ibsen and general acclamation. Then the whole company joined in the song : " And what though I ran my ship aground. It was grand to sail the seas I " At last the Henrik Ibsen set out on a real voyage in earnest, and Soren Braaten was glad enough ; he felt in need of rest after all he had been through. He told Cilia, indeed, that he would rather go sailing in the Arctic than have it all to do over again. No, this steamship business was a trial. Hardly had Soren settled down to his well-earned rest, when, only four days after the vessel had sailed, came a telegram from Hull announcing her arrival and awaiting orders. That meant wiring off at once to the brokers in Drammen and Christiania asking for freights. The telegraph, indeed, was kept so busy, that old Anders the messenger declared the wretched steamboat gave more work than anyone had a right to expect. Now and again, at weddings and suchlike, it was only natural to have a few extra telegrams going and coming ; but, then, he would take them round in bundles at a time, and be hand- somely treated into the bargain. Whereas this — why, he'd hardly as much as got back from delivering one wire to Soren Braaten, when a new one came in, and off he'd have to go again. And a man couldn't even stroll round with them at his ordinary pace ; it was always " urgent " or " express," or something of the sort, that sent him hurrying off as if the wind were at his heels. THE HENRIK IBSEN 263 And as for being handsomely treated ! It was a thankless task if ever there was one. When Anders appeared with his seventh wire in one day, Soren almost flew at him. " What, you there again with more of those infernal telegram things ! " Soren Braaten had had more telegrams the last fort- night than in all his life before ; and, worst of all, they were so briefly worded, it took him all his time to make out the sense. If things went on at this rate he would very soon be wanting another cure at Sande- fjord, and this time in earnest. There was never any rest, this steamer of his flew about at such a rate ; just when you thought she was in England she'd be somewhere down the Mediter- ranean or the Black Sea. Soren said as much to his old friend Skipper Sorensen, who answered : " Better be careful, lad, or she'll run so fast one day she'll run away with all your money." And Soren was anxious about that very thing, for the remittance seemed to him rather small in comparison with the length of voyage involved. Soren found himself at last hopelessly at sea both as to charters and accounts, and confided to Cilia one day that he was going to throw up the whole thing ; as far as he was concerned, " the wretched boat can manage itself." Cilia thought over the matter seriously. Her first idea was to take over the chartering herself, but when Soren began talking about freight from Wolgast to Salonica, and Rouen to Montechristi, her geography failed her. Fixing the old Apollo or Birkebeineren for voyages in the Baltic or the North Sea was easy enough. Cilia knew the name of every port from Pitea to 264 DRY FISH AND WET Vlaardingen, from London to Kirkwall, but outside the English Channel she was lost. The end of it was that Soren went in to Christiania and got a broker he knew there to take over the business, and glad he was to get rid of it. The week after, he went on board Birkebeineren, rigged her up, and sailed with a cargo of planks to Amsterdam. Even though he made little out of it beyond his keep, it was nicer than sitting at home in a state of eternal worry about the steamer. " It pays better than the savings bank, anyway," said CiUa, when he grumbled. " Maybe ; but it's a wearisome business all the same, this steam chartering. And we've other things to think about but what pays best." And off he went on board his own old-fashioned Birkebeineren." XIX NILS FETTER'S LEGACY THE news ran like wildfire through the town : Nils Fetter Jorgensen had been left a milHon gylden by his wife's uncle in Holland. It was true as could be ; Justice Heidt had had a letter from the Queen to say so. " Jantje ! " roared Nils Fetter out into the wash- house, where his wife stood in a cloud of steam and soapsuds. " What is it, husband ? " Jantje appeared in the doorway, little, stout and smiling, with her sleeves rolled up and the perspiration thick on her forehead. " Come into the parlour a minute." " Oh, I haven't time now, husband. There's the washing to be done." " Oh, bother the washing ! We've done with all that now," said Nils Fetter loftily. And, thrusting his thumbs into the armholes of his waistcoat, he strode stiffly in, followed by Jantje. '* Jantje, sit down on the sofa. Ahem . . . er . . . an event has occurred . , ." " Have they made you captain, husband ; you have got a ship ? We can go to Holland together, is it not ? " Jantje clapped her hands together, and looked at him expectantly. Foor Jantje had never seen her native land since the day she sailed away on a65 266 DRY FISH AND WET board the Eva Maria, and still felt strange in Norway, speaking the language with difficulty as she did. " We're rich, Jantje ; we're millionaires, that's what it is." Jantje turned serious at once ; her first thought was that Nils Petter must have taken a drop too much — a thing that rarely happened now since he had been married. " Don't you think you'd better lie down a little, husband ? " she said quietly, pointing to the bed- room. " Oho, you think I've been drinking ? Well, here's the letter from the Justice ; you can see for yourself." Jantje took the letter and studied it intently, but could not make out a word of what it said. " Your Uncle Peter van Groot died in Java last year, and left millions of gylden, and no children " " Praise the Lord ! " exclaimed Jantje. " And all those millions are ours now, seeing we're the nearest heirs since your mother and father died." " Poor Uncle Pit — kind old Uncle Pit," sighed Jantje, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Then, rising to her feet, she went on : " If that's all, husband, then I'll go and finish the washing." " Washing, now ? No, you don't, Jantje. Off with you at once and put on the finest you've got : your green dress and the coral brooch." " But the things will be spoiled in the water, husband." " Never mind ; let them. Hurry up and get dressed now." Jantje went off to dress, but not before she had slipped out into the wash-house, wrung out the wet things and hung them up to dry. NILS FETTER'S LEGACY 267 Nils Fetter put on his best blue suit, a starched shirt with collar and cuffs, a black tie and stiff hat. Then Jantje appeared, wearing her green dress, her face all flushed and aglow with hurrying. The pair sat for a moment looking at one another. " Jantje ! " " Yes, husband ? " " What shall we do with it all ? " Such a question from Nils Fetter was too much for Jantje all at once. She looked helplessly round the room as if seeking for somewhere to put it. "It's a question what to do with any amount of capital these days. Shipowning's a risky business. . . ." Nils Fetter paced up and down thoughtfully. Then Jantje had an inspiration. " Husband, there's the big clothes-chest, room for lots of money in that." And she hurried out into the passage and began dragging out the chest. " No, no, Jantje ; leave it alone. The money '11 have to be put in the bank, of course. We can't keep it in the house." There was a knock at the door. " Come in ! " It was Watchmaker Rordam. *' Congratulations, my boy. Grand piece of luck, what ? Must be strange- Hke, to get all that heap of money at once." " Well, ye-es," said Nils Fetter ; " it's a trouble to know what to do with one's capital, though ; these savings banks pay such a miserable rate of interest." Jantje looked at him in surprise. Why, only a fortnight ago, when he had had to renew a bill at the bank, he had declared loudly against the " pack of Jews " for charging too high a rate. " You won't forget your old friends, Nils Fetter, I 268 DRY FISH AND WET hope, now that you've come into a fortune," said Rordam. " Trust me for that, lad," said Nils Petter. " I haven't forgotten how you helped me out when I was near being sold up ; I owe you something for that. Being thankless towards friends that lent a hand when times were hard is a bad mark in the register and the sign of an unseaworthy character, and it shan't be said of Nils Petter Jorgensen." And he gripped Rordam's hand emphatically. " Well, now, what do you say to a drink ? " " Not for me, thanks," answered Rordam. *' I've — I've given it up," he added, not without some re- luctance. " Don't mind if I have one ? " " No, indeed." " Jantje, give me a drop of Hollands. It's a plaguy business thinking out howto invest big sums of money." Rordam had never had any experience of that sort of business, but thought he would not mind a little trouble, given the occasion. Nils Petter drank off his glass. Rordam stuck to his refusal bravely, which so won Nils Petter's admira- tion that he bought of the watchmaker a splendid clock, costing five pounds, an elegant piece of work with a marble face and gilt lions above. Furthermore, on leaving, Rordam was given a piece of paper with the following words : ** Mr. Watchmaker Rordam to receive £50 — fifty pounds — when I get the legacy. " N. P. Jorgensen." This last was a gratuity, which Nils Petter felt he ought to give for old friendship's sake. NILS FETTER'S LEGACY 269 Rordam was delighted ; at last he would be able to pay off the many little odd debts that had been worrying him for years past. Hardly had Rordam gone when Schoolmaster Pedersen came in, bringing a large oleander as a present for Jantje. Nils Fetter and the schoolmaster had never been very friendly, holding different poUtical opinions ; Nils Fetter especially waxed furious whenever he saw Federsen's anti- Swedish flag hoisted in the garden. A couple of years ago he had gone in and cut it down, but the matter was, fortunately, smoothed over, Federsen being an easy-going man, while his wife and Jantje were very good friends. " I just looked in, my dear Jorgensen, to see if you'd any use for a secretary. A man in your position, of course, will have any amount of writing and book- keeping work, and you know I'd be glad to make a httle extra myself." Nils Fetter was not much of a scholar. The few occasions when he had to use a pen caused him no little difficulty ; his big, unaccustomed fingers gripped the pen-holder as if it were a crowbar. ** Why, I dare say I might. . . . And what would you want a year for that ? " " I'd leave that to you." " Would £200 be enough ? " Federsen jumped up in delight and almost embraced Nils Fetter. " It's too much, Jorgensen, really." " It won't be too much ; there'll be a deal of work to do. But I forgot, one thing you'll have to do : get rid of that beastly flag of yours." Federsen turned serious. " The Norwegian flag is our national emblem, and that alone. As a true 270 DRY FISH AND WET patriot, I must stand by my convictions. Nor- way ..." Nils Petter broke in angrily. " Norway, Norway ! There's a sight too much of that if you ask me. I've sailed with the good old Union flag round the Horn and the Cape of Good Hope as well, and it's been looked up to everywhere. You can take and sew in the Swedish colours again, if you want the place — not but what the old flag's handsome enough," he added in a somewhat gentler tone. Pedersen thought this rather hard ; but £200 a year was not to be sneezed at, and, after all, there were limits to what could be reasonably demanded of a patriot. He was accordingly appointed private secretary, on condition that the Union colours be included in his flag forthwith, and set off home rejoicing. And feeling that he could now afford a Httle jollifica- tion, he bought a joint of beef, a bottle of wine, and a bag of oranges for the children. Later in the day Bernt Jorgensen came roimd ; he, too, had heard of the wonderful legacy. " You'll need to be careful now, with all that money, Nils Petter ; a fortune's not a thing to be frittered away." " Trust me for that, brother. And you shall have a share of it too, for you've been a good sort. I will say, though, a trifle on the saving side at times, but never mind that now. Look here, Bernt, would you care to sell the Eva Maria ? " Bernt Jorgensen was so astonished at this sudden changing front that he hardly knew what to say. Hitherto Nils Petter had always been deferential and respectful towards him ; now, however, he seemed to be adopting an air of lordly condescension. NILS FETTER'S LEGACY 271 " Well, what do you say ? " " Sell you the Eva Maria ! Well, it'd mean a lot of money for you. Nils Fetter." " Oh, that's all right. I've got plenty." Bemt Jorgensen would not decide all at once, but wanted time to think it over. During the next few days Nils Fetter was inundated with visitors, and Jantje was kept busy all the time making fresh coffee in her best green dress, which caused her not a little anxiety, lest it should be soiled. Nils Fetter told her not to worry ; she would get a new one. But it was not Jantje 's way to be careless with things. Various speculators came offering properties for sale in various parts of the country, producing such masses of documents that Federsen, as secretary, had his work cut out to find room for them in the parlour. By way of finding a ship for his friend Thoresen, Trina's husband. Nils Fetter had purchased the brig Cupid from Governor Abrahamsen for £500, also the Sorgenfri estate, situated a little way out of the town. This latter property, with a fine two-storeyed house looking out on the fjord, ran him into something like £1200. In each case it was stipulated that " the purchase money shall be paid in cash as soon as my inheritance from Holland is made over." N. F. Jorgensen and his secretary had both been up to view the Sorgenfri estate, and were very pleased with it on the whole. They agreed, however, that some alterations would have to be made, such as la3dng out a park, with fish-pond, and building a skittle-alley, which last Nils Fetter was especially keen on, having been greatly devoted to that form of sport in his youth. 272 DRY FISH AND WET Then came a number of letters addressed to " N. P. Jorgensen, Esquire/' during this time. His old friend, Shipbroker Rothe of Arendal, was forming a company to acquire a big steamer for the China trade, which was to give at least 30 to 40 per cent. He wanted only £3000 to complete, and invited Nils Petter, for old acquaintance's sake, to take up shares to that amount. " Good fellow, is old Rothe," said Nils Petter to his secretary. " I used to have a drink with him every evening when I was up there with the old Spesfides for repairs. We went in for our mates' certificate together, too. Write and say I'll take shares for the £3000 ; that'll put him right." It was late in the evening most days before Nils Petter and his secretary had got through the day's correspondence, and Nils Petter, who was accustomed to turn in about eight or nine o'clock, was so tired and sleepy that he wanted to leave everything as it was ; but Pedersen was zealous in his work, and declared it was the first essential of a business man to answer letters promptly. There was no help for it ; Nils Petter was obliged to sit up, wading through all sorts of documents, company prospectuses, particulars of house property, mines, steamships, etc. etc. Secretary Pedersen left nothing unconsidered. Nils Petter all but fell asleep in his chair. And when at last he got to bed he would lie tossing and talking in his sleep, till Jantje had to get up and put cold water bandages on his head. Every morning he shuddered at the thought of that day's burdens, especially when the postman came tramping up with bundles of letters and circulars, one bigger than another. NILS PETTER^S LEGACY 273 Jantje and Nils Petter sat drinking their coffee in the kitchen, one each side of the table in front of the hearth. This was the best time of the day, Nils Petter thought ; he could take it easy as in the old days, sitting in his shirt sleeves, and caring nothing for letters and investments. Jantje, too, hked this way best ; she was always uncomfortable when she had to put on her green dress. The coffee-pot was puffing like a httle steam-engine on the hob, and Jantje was cutting the new bread into good thick slices. " Jantje ! " " Yes, husband ; what is it ? " " Seems to me we were a good deal better off before we got all this money." " Ay, that's true, that's true." " And I don't somehow feel like moving up to Sorgenfri — it's nice and comfortable here." '* Oh, thank you, thank you, husband. I'm so glad. I'd never feel happy away from here." Nils Petter and Jantje had one great regret — they had no children. They had often talked of adopting one. The question cropped up again now. Jantje had heard that Skipper Olsen's widow had just died, leaving a four-year-old boy with no one to look after him but the parish ; they decided, therefore, to take him and bring him up as their own. Jantje busied herself making preparations, and Nils Petter, dis- regarding Pedersen's insistence, flatly refused to be bothered with letters just now ; he too had things to do about the house, getting ready for the boy. The news soon spread that httle Rasper Olsen was to be adopted by Nils Petter. Had ever a poor 18 274 DRY FISH AND WET orphan such a stroke of luck ! They called him the millionaire boy. When at last Jantje came in, leading the Httle fellow by the hand, Nils Fetter's delight knew no bounds ; he laughed and sang, and Ufted the pretty, chubby lad and held him out at arm's length. The boy took to Jantje at once, and when he began to call her " Mama," she wept with joy, and had to run and find Nils Fetter that he might hear it too. He tried to get the child to call him '* Fapa," but here he was disappointed ; Rasper would not call him anything but *' Nils Fetter," as he had heard everybody else do. The first night, one of the richest heirs in the country slept in a washing-basket, to the great delight of Nils Fetter, who amused himself swinging basket and boy together over his head till the child fell asleep. Nils Fetter was getting altogether unreasonable, so at least his secretary thought. He declined alto- gether to go to the office now, and went out fishing in his boat instead. And Jantje put on her old house frock again and stood over wash-tub just as before. " Extraordinary people," said Federsen. ** Really, it's a pity to see all this money thrown away on folk with no idea of how to use it." And indeed Nils Fetter and Jantje gradually were fast slipping back to their old way of life. All Feder- sen's arguments and entreaties could not persuade them to move out to Sorgenfri and take up a position suited to their means. In vain the schoolmaster urged " the duties involved by possession of worldly wealth, responsibilities towards society in general," and so on ; Nils Fetter cared not a jot for anything NILS FETTER'S LEGACY 275 of the sort ; he was going to live his own way, and the rest could go hang. One day Justice Heidt came round, and asked to speak to Nils Fetter privately. *' There we are again," grumbled Nils Fetter ; " more about that wretched money. Til be bound." " I am sorry to say," began the Justice, " I have bad news for you about this legacy business — very bad news indeed." " Well, I've had nothing but trouble about it from the start," said Nils Fetter, " so a Httle more won't make much difference." " The legacy in question proves to be considerably less than was at first understood — in fact, I may say the amount is altogether insignificant." ** Well, it'll be something anyway, I suppose ? " Nils Fetter felt he ought to have a little at least for all his trouble. " I have a cheque here for 760 gylden, and that, I am sorry to say, is all there is." " Well, to tell the truth. Justice, I'm not sorry to hear it. I've been that pestered and worried with this legacy business, I'll be glad to see the last of it." Nils Fetter went round to the bank and changed his cheque ; it came to 1140 crowns. Of this Federsen received 200 for his secretarial work, Rordam another 200, the remainder was put in the bank as a separate account for little Rasper. Nils Fetter and Jantje were glad to be rid of Sorgenfri, the brig, and the postman. The last named, it is true, still brought an occasional letter for *' N. F. Jorgensen, Esquire," but Nils Fetter never bothered to look at them. And when Nils Fetter set little Rasper on his 276 DRY FISH AND WET shoulders and asked : " Which would you rather have, a million or a thrashing ? " the boy invariably answered, " Thrashing," at which Nils Petter would laugh till it could be heard half-way down the street. XX THE ADMIRAL SOME people seem to have the privilege of being as rude and ill-mannered as they please. They are generally to be found among those whose superior share of this world's goods enables them to lord it over the little circle in which they move. They may be compared to bumble-bees that rarely sting, and only upon provocation. Ordinarily, they are very harmless, and for my part I much prefer a bumble-bee to the dainty and delicate mosquitoes that look so innocent, as they smilingly perforate the epidermis of a fellow-creature with a thousand little stabs. " The Admiral " was a big bumble-bee. As a young officer in the navy he had been a reckless blade, and, having gained the rank of heutenant, was obliged to leave the service for some piece of insubordination. He then entered the navy of a minor eastern power, where his dominant qualities of impudence and unscrupulousness were appreciated to such a degree that he rose to the rank of Admiral. Hence the title. It was stated that he " flogged niggers and shot down cannibals," without the formality of trial by jury — or indeed any formahty at all. 278 DRY FISH AND WET Thanks to the Admirars zeal, the two gunboats which constituted the navy in question were kept in excellent order, but as the four guns of the combined fleet enabled him to command the capital, including the government, he became a trifle over-bearing. One day, when the King came on board to pay a visit of inspection, with his two wives, the Admiral declared that he would keep the younger lady for himself, a wife being one of the items lacking in the inventory on board. The King, as a good husband, naturally dechned to entertain the idea. Had it been the elder of the two, the matter might perhaps have been discussed, but as the Admiral stubbornly insisted on taking the younger, the parties exchanged words, and, ultimately, blows. This stage having been reached, the Admiral took his sovereign by the scruff of the neck, and his queen by the stern, and heaved the pair of them overboard. Fortunately the gunboat was not far off shore, and their majesties, who could swim Hke fishes, made straight for land. But the waters thereabouts are infested with sharks, and they were forced to put on full speed to escape with their Hves. The Admiral and the younger consort stood on the deck of the gunboat, watching the august swimmers with interest through a glass. The King, having scrambled ashore, stalked solemnly up to his palm-shack palace, clenched his fist and shook it violently at the Admiral, vociferating " schandalous." This was a word he had learned from a German Jew, who traded in glass beads, and adorned his notepaper and visiting-cards with the inscription : ' " By Royal Warrant to His Majesty the King of Zumba-Lumba. " THE ADMIRAL 279 Now the King knew nothing of revolution, not even the name, and there was not a bolshevik to be found in all his dominions. Nevertheless, he felt instinctively that the Admiral's behaviour was an outrage against the supreme authority vested in himself by right divine. But what could he do against the Admiral and his four guns ? Of the four hundred warriors that com- posed his army, only about half were armed with muskets of an ancient type, procured by tiie Admiral himself in days gone by. And the ammunition amounted to practically nil, the Admiral having been far-sighted enough to store most of the cartridges on board the gunboats, serving out a small allowance now and then to the King and his army, wherewith to keep lions and tigers at a respectful distance from the huts of the capital. The King thought over the matter for quite a while, and at last sent for one of his numerous brothers-in- law. Here, as in other kingdoms, the family relation- ship was a most useful factor, providing a kind of mutual insurance in support of the throne. His Majesty's kinsman, then, was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, and in- structed to proceed, in that capacity, to the neigh- bouring territory of Hampa-Denga, and inform the British Resident there that His Majesty the King of Zumba-Lumba wished to place himself under British protectorate at once. One morning, a few days later, the Admiral lay in his hammock on deck, H.M.'s late consort in another hammock at his side, fanning him with a palm-branch. He was in the best of spirits, refreshed alike by his morning bath and an excellent breakfast. The 28o DRY FISH AND WET parrots were chattering noisily in the great fragrant agaves on shore, birds of paradise rocked on the topmost crests of the palms, with impertinent young monkeys vainly tr3dng to tweak their tails. The ex-queen chewed betel and smiled at him, and he, in return, tickled the soles of her feet till she screamed. It was a perfect little idyll ; a very paradise. Neither of the pair noticed anything unusual until suddenly a young English officer appeared on deck. He had come, it appeared, to deliver a dispatch to the Officer Commanding the Fleet. And this is how it ran : " Sir, — Pursuant to negotiations with His Majesty the King of Zumba-Lumba, I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty has this day placed himself under British protectorate. " Accordingly, the Zumba-Lumba navy will hence- forward be under the Administration of the Governor at Hampa-Denga and the naval station there. " The bearer of this, Sub-Lieutenant Algernon Smith, is deputed to take over for the present the command of the Zumba-Lumba Fleet. — I have the honour to be. Sir, your obedient servant, "C. W. Melville St. Patrick, C.B., R.N." " H.B.M.S. Cyclope, 6th February 1873." The Admiral's first impulse was to take this young spark by the collar and throw him overboard, as he had done a day or so before with His Majesty and his wife. But on glancing over the side, he perceived, under shelter of a small island, the white painted hull of H.M.S. Cyclope, and thought better of it ; instead, he turned to the bearer of the letter, and, with kindly THE ADMIRAL 281 condescension, invited him to come below and have a drink. Whereupon they descended to the cabin, where the Admiral initiated his young colleague into the maritime affairs of the Zumba-Lumba. Then the Admiral packed up his things. He regretted that he had not a visiting-card, not even a photograph to give his successor, but handed over instead the younger wife of his late master as a trifling souvenir. On reaching the deck, to his indescribable annoy- ance he perceived the King, with his brother-in-law, his four hundred warriors, and the elder wife, standing on the shore, slapping their stomachs, the superlative expression of mischievous deUght in those parts. The foregoing brief narrative is to be taken as a truthful and dispassionate account of the manner in which the Admiral attained his title and dignity. The remainder of his doings during his sojourn abroad, before he returned to settle down in his native town on the coast, is soon told. The Admiral was not a man to be long idle, and, as a sailor, he could always find a way. He captained vessels for Chinese and Japanese owners, both sail and steam. He started a fleet of tugs at Tientsin, and obtained a concession for dredging the harbour of Shanghai, with a host of other things, making a very considerable fortune out of the whole. Then he turned his steps towards home, and pur- chased the house of his fathers on the hill just above the Custom House. He dismantled the old place almost entirely of its furniture, and had it fitted up according to his own ideas, as a sort of bungalow. 382 DRY FISH AND WET There were weapons all over the place ; spears, bows and arrows, pistols and guns of all sorts. Pot- bellied idols smirked in every corner ; lion and tiger skins were spread on the floor. But the drawing- room on the ground floor and the office in the side wing, that had been his father's in the old days, he left untouched. He even went so far as to have the successive layers of wallpaper, that in course of years had been hung one over another, carefully removed one by one until he came to the identical one that had adorned the place when he was a little lad and his mother and father were still alive. Then he went about all over the town, trying to buy up the old pieces of furniture that had been sold and scattered about thirty or forty years before. He went far up into one of the outlying villages to get hold of one particular birchwood cabinet which he had learned was to be found there. He also managed to unearth his father's old writing-desk, and had it set up in its old place in the " office." And at last he really succeeded in restoring the two rooms almost completely to their former state. Then and not till then was he satisfied, and began, as it were, to live his life over again. The Admiral was now a man about sixty. A giant of a man to look at, with hands and arms of an athlete and well proportioned. He had a big, curved nose, a trifle over large, per- haps. And the eyes that shone out from beneath the great bushy brows were not of the sort that give way. His whole face bore the stamp of unscrupulous firm- ness, softened a little, however, by the heavy whiskers generally affected by naval officers in those days, and which in his case were now perfectly white. When the Admiral came home he brought with him THE ADMIRAL 283 a little girl twelve years old. A queer little creature she was, with somewhat darker skin than we are accustomed to see, and brilliant black eyes. '* My daughter," said the Admiral, and that was all the information to be obtained from that quarter. It was generally surmised that she must be the off- spring of his alliance with the young Queen of Zumba- Lumba, who had, as we know, been on board the gun- boat ; ergo, she was of royal blood. And the whole town accordingly styled her simply " The Princess." As to whether he had contracted other alliances elsewhere none could say, for the old servant, or lady companion, whom he had brought with him from abroad, was dumb as a door-post when the talk turned in that direction. She was English and somewhat over fifty. Miss Jenkins was her name, but the Admiral invariably called her " Missa." Missa was the only person who ever ventured to oppose him. Now and then the pair of them might be heard arguing hotly, always in English, till at last he would shout at her : ** Mind your own business, please ! " This was his stock phrase for terminating an argument when he did not care to discuss the matter further. The Princess was to be confirmed. And there was a great to-do in view of the event. The parson, naturally enough, requested the usual particulars — parents' names, place of birth, date, certificate of vaccination, etc. The whole town was curious now, and great excitement prevailed ; at last the mystery would be solved. The parson had to go down to the Admiral himself, and inform him, as politely as possible, that the law required compli- ance with certain formalities ; an especially important 284 DRY FISH AND WET point was that the names of both father and mother should be correctly stated. " She has no mother," the Admiral categorically declared. " But, my dear Admiral, she must have had a mother. In the ordinary course of nature ..." " The course of nature's extraordinary where she comes from." " But you must have been married, surely ? " The Admiral glared, and his bushy brows contracted. " Who ? " " You." *' I ? " The Admiral chuckled. " Yes," said the parson, lowering his voice a Uttle ; he was beginning to feel a trifle uncomfortable. " Oh, in the tropics, you know, there are no such formaUties." " But surely that's immoral ? " *' We don't know the word in those parts." And the Admiral rose to his feet. The parson plucked up courage and said quietly : *'But you yourself were a Christian, Admiral, were you not ? " " Mind your own business, please," answered the Admiral, at the same time opening the door politely, that the parson might slip out. The latter also availed himself of the chance ; he was not without a certain uneasy feeling that if he failed to do so now, his exit might take a less peaceable form. How the question was finally settled the writer cannot say ; the fact remains that the town was no wiser than before. The Princess was confirmed, and received into the best society of the town, as one of themselves. THE ADMIRAL 285 She was slender and finely built, with a pretty face and charming eyes. The only thing that marked her as different from the other girls was the yellowish- brown of her skin, and even this seemed to be growing fainter as the years went by. As to her antecedents, she herself never referred to the subject, and no one was ever indelicate enough to ask her. Altogether, then, matters were going very well in- deed, both for the Admiral and the Princess. He began to feel at home in his old town, and did not regret having settled down there. And the townsfolk, for the most part, gradually got used to the rough old fellow and his ways, though there were still a few who declared they could not " abide " him. Consul Endresen, for instance, and Henry B. Karsten the ship-chandler were not accustomed to be treated with such utter disregard by a so-called *' Admiral." Admiral indeed ! Ha, ha ! The whole thing was a farce. The old humbug ; he was no more an admiral than Ferryman Arne. They turned up their noses at him, but kept their distance all the same, with an instinctive feeling that he might literally go so far as to take them by the scruff of the neck if he felt hke it. The two firms were old-established and respected in the place, having occupied a leading position in the commercial life of the town for generations, by reason of their wealth, superior education and incontestable ability. And in consequence neither felt at home else- where than in their native place, where they were used to play first fiddle generally. There was no competi- tion between the two ; they were wise enough to 286 DRY FISH AND WET realise that any such conflicting element might easily destroy the lead their fathers had established. But they would not suffer any outsider to intrude on their domains, whether in business or in social life ; here they shared in common an undisputed supremacy. The young Karstens and Endresens were brought up according to the principles of their respective dynasties, and were sent abroad for their commercial education, that they might be properly fitted for the distinguished position they would be called to fill. Skipper Hansen and Blacksmith Olsen's offspring found it was no easy matter to compete with them. Wealth, however, was the only thing they really respected at heart, the old as well as the younger generation. They would devote themselves several times a week to calculating how much the other notables might be worth, and were ill pleased that anyone should be better off than themselves. It was even said that old Karsten took to his bed out of sheer envy on hearing that someone else had made a heap of money. Endresen was wiHer and rarely showed his feeHngs, but it was a well-known fact that he would be irritable and unreasonable when he heard of others making a successful deal. The clerks in his office said so. Then came the sudden appearance of the Admiral in their midst. At first they did not understand this brutal and domineering force. The old Karstens themselves had been accounted proud and haughty enough — though perhaps not exactly brutal ; but they were, as we have said, of a privileged caste. But this so-called Admiral, what was he ? A scion of the town, it is true, inasmuch as he was a son of the 1 THE ADMIRAL 287 old sMpbroker who had formerly occupied the house now purchased by the newcomer. But he, the father, that is, had been no more than a " measly broker," who had just managed to scrape some sort of a hveli- hood together by fixing contracts for the vessels owned by Endresens and selhng coal to the Karstens' factories. The Admiral himself, however, was evidently rich, a man of unbounded wealth, indeed, and enough to buy up Endresen's and Karsten's together. His Income Tax Return spoke plainly in plain figures ; no farce about that ! The fact was there, and could not be ignored ; an abominable thing, but none the less true. There was nothing for it but to give him his title of Admiral, and with a serious face. Had it been some poor devil without means, they would have jeered him out of the place. When the Admiral came striding up the main street, a stout, imposing figure, even Henry B. Karsten himself had to make way. He would wave one hand in salutation and say ** Morning ! " in English, using the same form of greeting to all, with the sole ex- ception of Arne the Ferryman, who was always honoured with a shake of the hand. But the Princess fluttered about the place Hke a dainty Httle butterfly. Old Missa looked after her as well as she could, and never lost sight of her if she could help it. But the Princess seemed to have wings ! She would manage somehow or other to vanish in a moment : presto I gone ! And there was Missa left behind in despair. She would soon come fluttering back again, however, smiling and irresistible as ever, and throw her arms round Missa's neck and beg to be forgiven. The Admiral grumbled and swore he would " put 288 DRY FISH AND WET the youngster in irons " if she did not keep to the house ; but the youngster only laughed, perched her- self on the Admiral's knee, and pulled his long white whiskers ; and then he might fall to dreaming . . . dreaming of distant lands, of moonhght nights beneath the palms and agaves, long and long ago. He fussed and grumbled and stamped about the house, calhng Missa a lumbering old mud-barge that couldn't keep a proper look-out ; but the Princess fluttered on as before, entirely undismayed. There was to be a grand festival in the town, a charity entertainment in aid of the Children's Home. All the young people of the town were to assist. There was to be a theatrical performance, and an exhibition of dancing on the stage. Young Endresen and Karsten junior, of course, took a leading part in the arrangements ; ''for a charitable object," they could do no less. It was generally understood, how- ever, that the real object of both young gentlemen was to see something of the Princess. The two heirs-apparent waged a violent struggle for the Princess's favour. True, "♦^^hey had been duly instructed by their respective fathers, as these by their respective fathers before them, in the principle that " the house of Endresen " or " the house of Karsten " expected every son to do his duty — i.e. not to marry beneath his rank, and also, to " consolidate the standing of the firm," as it was conveniently put. As regards the question of rank, this was, in the present instance, a somewhat debatable one, but the question of consolidation was plain as could be wished. Here was a considerable fortune to be gained for the town, and thus for one of the two firms. It was certainly worth a struggle. THE ADMIRAL 289 The Admiral had grumbled and stormed for a whole week before consenting to the Princess partici- pating in the affair. The Princess was to dance — a dance she had com- posed herself. There was great excitement ; the local theatre was crammed. The leading notabilities of the place had booked up all the stalls at more than twice the usual prices. Everyone who could get about at all was present. Even old Endresen, who generally affected to despise all such theatrical tomfoolery, had found a seat in the front row, and confided to his next-door neighbour that he had seen " Pepita " dance in Paris — had even thrown her a bouquet — " but I was very young, then, I must say," he added, with a smile. Old folk in the town still told the story of how Endresen, as a young man, had led a gay life in Paris ; a life so gay, and so expensive, that the Endresen senior of the period had promptly ordered him to come back home at once. " And he's turned out a real good man for all that," they would hasten to add. The theatrical performance went off quite success- fully, but without arousing any great amount of enthusiasm. There was applause, of course, and the principal actors had to appear before the curtain ; the leading lady was duly praised for her interpreta- tion. But it was the Princess all were waiting for. At last the curtain rose. The scenery was ordinary enough : a " woodland scene," with the usual trees and a pale moon painted on the background. It was the standard setting, as used for classical tragedy, vaudeville and, in fact, almost anything. 19 290 DRY FISH AND WET Enter the Princess, daintily as if on wings. She wore a long white robe, that moved in graceful waves about her slender figure ; diamonds shone and ghttered in her hair. No one present had ever seen such stones, and young Endresen swore they were genuine. She wore a row of pearls too round her neck, and heavy gold rings about her bare ankles. The spectators seemed literally to hold their breath with every nerve on the strain. The Uttle figure up there was like a vision ; her feet hardly touched the floor. First, she glided softly across the stage, her white robe rising and falling like the gentle swell of the sea on a summer's day, then faster and faster. She whirled round, bent right down to the ground, and fell in a heap, only to spring up again in a moment and whirl round again at a furious pace. The public was simply spell-bound. No one had ever seen, ever dreamed of such a sight. Her great black eyes shone towards them, while that queer smile played about her mouth ; she seemed to move in a world of her own. The dusty old scenery faded into nothingness ; they saw but the girl herself, and sat staring, enchanted, hypnotised. Gone ! It was over. The curtain fell, and a silence as in church reigned for some seconds after ; the spectators were getting their breath again, so to speak. Then something unusual happened. Old Endresen rose to his feet, clapped his hands and cried : " Encore, encore ! " Forgotten were his seventy years, his dignity, everything ; he was young again, young and in- fatuated as he had been in Paris half a century before, THE ADMIRAL 291 when he joined in the cry of the thousands shouting, " Vive Pepita, vive VEspagne ! " At last the general enthusiasm found vent in shouts of applause like the roar of a bursting dam. Hand- kerchiefs were waved ; all rose to their feet. Then once more she glided in across the stage. Again an outburst of delighted applause. One young man in particular seemed intent on outdoing all the rest — a fair-haired Httle fellow with a snub nose and pince-nez. He sat in the stage box, and his shrill voice could be heard all over the theatre as he cried in unmis- takable west coast dialect : '* Bravo, bravissimo ! Bravo, bravissimo ! " All looked at him and laughed. It was Doffen Eriksen, or Doffen, simply, as he was generally called. He came from Mandal originally, but had been several years in the town, first as head clerk at Eriksen's, and later with other local firms. His natural tendency to continual opposition, and lack of respect for his superiors, indeed for all recognised authority, pre- vented him from ever keeping a situation long. He had recently gone over to the Socialist party, but at the very first meeting had abused his new comrades with emphasis : thieves, scoundrels and political mugwumps were among the expressions he used. The last in particular aroused their indignation, and after a few weeks he was excluded from the party. He was now a free-lance, with no regular employment. Then it happened that the Admiral advertised for an assistant to help in the office. The Admiral used his office chiefly as a place where he could give way to bad language as often as he pleased; he felt he 292 DRY FISH AND WET ought to keep himself in training, and arguing with Missa was too milk and watery for his taste. The work in the office consisted for the most part of keeping the accounts of a couple of small vessels which he owned, together with the cutting out of coupons and cashier work. The Admiral himself never condescended to take up a pen ; one had coolies to do that sort of thing, he would say. His two skippers were rated and bullied every time they came home from a voyage, but they were so used to the treatment that they never noticed it. It was worse, however, for the clerk, who had to endure the same thing day after day. During the last year or so, the Admiral had had four or five different specimens in the office, but they always made haste to better themselves at the earliest opportunity, or simply " got the sack." They were all either " a pack of fools that couldn't think for themselves," or " a lot of impertinent donkeys that fancied they knew everything." And when, after one of his usual outbursts, the unfortunate in question found it too much, and gave notice to leave, the Admiral's standard answer was " All right ! then I'll have to get another idiot from somewhere." Doff en appUed for the post, referring to his previous experience, and stated that he had been " simply thrown out of various situations, not through any lack of abiUty, but because the principals were so many blockheads, who could not bear to hear a free and independent man express his frank opinion." He was at present disengaged, on the market, and perfectly willing to undertake any kind of work what- ever, " even to playing croquet." The Admiral read THE ADMIRAL 293 the application through ; it was the only one he had received in answer to his advertisement. He grunted once or twice as he read. Missa laid down her needlework and prepared for a direct attack. The opening seemed to take his fancy, but when he came to the part about playing croquet, he ex- exclaimed : " What the devil does the fellow mean ? Playing croquet ? " '* Who ? " ** Oh, the new slave I'm getting for the office." " Well, why not. He might play with Baby." " Oh go to . . ." The Admiral got up and put the appUcation into the fire. Next day Doff en, as the sole applicant, was accorded the post. He sat down at the high desk, on one of those scaffold-like office stools with a big wooden screw in the middle. It was a matter of some difficulty to climb up, Doffen being small of stature, but with the aid of some acrobatic hackwork, he soon learned to manage it. Opposite his place was the Admiral's seat. He loved to sit there, in the very spot where his father had sat, year after year, as far back as he could remember. It was not often the Admiral showed any evidence of gentler feeling, but it happened at times, when very old folk chanced to come into the office. They would stand still for a long time, looking round in wonder, and finally exclaim : " Why, if it's not exactly as it used to be in your father's time ! " and then the Admiral would jump down from his stool and slap the speaker on the shoulder. 294 DRY FISH AND WET During the first few days Doffen had not seen much of the Admiral, who had hardly looked in at the office at all. He wanted to get some idea of the " new slave's " manner and behaviour before he sat down. On the day after the performance, the Admiral walked in and took his seat. Silence for a few minutes. At last Doffen thought he ought to say something, and observed with the utmost coolness : " Your daughter danced very nicely last night." *' H'm." The Admiral only grunted, and looked out of the window. Doffen imagined he had not heard. " I was saying. Admiral, your daughter gave a deuced fine performance last night." Doffen raised his voice a little, thinking the Admiral must be hard of hearing. " And what the devil's that got to do with you ? " Doffen slammed down the lid of his desk with a bang. "To do with me ? Why, I paid for my ticket, anyway." ** I didn't ask her to dance for you, my lad, and devil take me but it shall be the last time." " What's that to do with me ? " retorted Doffen coldly. The Admiral began to feel in his element ; here at last was a man who could stand up to him. " Can't you see she's like a young palm ? Haven't you got a spice of feeling in you, man ? " ** That's my business. Admiral." The Admiral stopped short. He was on the point of bringing out his own favourite retort : " Mind your own business," and here was this fellow taking the THE ADMIRAL 295 very words out of his mouth. He went out of the room without a word. Several times after that the Admiral launched his attacks at the new clerk, but invariably got as good as he gave. More than that, Doff en would even take the offensive himself. *' What do you think you're doing with these two hulks of yours, Admiral, eh ? " " Hulks ? " '* Yes, these two old wooden arks. The skippers go floundering about like hunted cockroaches at sea, and the ships themselves go pottering from pillar to post ; it's high time you got some system into the business." " You mind your own business, please," said the Admiral, rapping on the desk. But at that the other let himself go in his barbarous dialect, like a gramo- phone : " It is my business, and as long as I'm stuck here on this spindle-shanked contrivance of a stool I'll say what I think. Take me for a dumb beast, do you ? Not me ! It'll take more than you know to stop me talking. We're used to rough weather where I come from." And Doffen went on in the same strain long after the Admiral had got out of the room. The Admiral himself, however, listened with delight from the other side of the door, as Doffen thumped his desk again and again, still in the full torrent of speech. It was worth while going to the office now. No more sitting glower- ing at a servile, stooping-shouldered little scrap of a man, who scribbled away for dear life and shrank in terror every time he entered. Now he would generally find the room in a thick haze of tobacco smoke so that 296 DRY FISH AND WET he himself could scarcely breathe. Doff en's pipe was rarely out of his mouth. Several times the Admiral had invited him, in well-chosen words, to take his beastly pipe to a hotter place, but only to be met with the retort that it might be as well, seeing there was never a box of matches here when a man wanted a light. The Admiral came more and more often to the office now. Here at least he could be sure of getting a fair go at any time, for Doff en was always open for a game. After a while a tone of jovial roughness grew up between the two of them, and authority was relegated to the background, exactly as Doffen wished. Altogether there was every prospect of an idyllic understanding between the two parties, until one day Doffen fell in love, over head and ears in love beyond recall. The Princess had captivated him completely. If she chanced to come into the office for a stamp, or to deliver a letter, his heart would start hammering like a riveting machine. His brain was so confused he hardly knew what he was doing. He would lie awake at nights in a torment of hatred against the Endresen and Karsten boys, who were rivals for her favour. And, after all, who was better fitted than he ? Had he not got the Admiral's papers into proper order ? Had he not managed to knock the old porpoise himself into shape, till he was grown docile and tractable as a tame rabbit ? The Princess smiled on Doffen as she smiled on everyone, and each of course fancied himself specially favoured. Even old Consul Endresen brightened up at the sight of her, and was always ready to stop for a THE ADMIRAL 297 chat ; he would draw himself up and endeavour to play the gallant cavalier. He had been a widower now for many years, and it was commonly believed that he was not unwilling to enter once more into the bonds of holy matrimony, should a favourable oppor- tunity occur. The Admiral growled fiercely whenever Baby was out, and Missa wept and wrung her hands over the young ladies of the present day — particularly in this barbarous country. Paying attentions ? It was one continual pa5dng of attentions all day long. The young men of the place were sick with longing when she was not to be seen, and Doffen suffered most, having occasion to see her every day. To make matters worse, she had taken to coming into the office more frequently of late, and would perch herself up on her father's high stool. There she would sit and gossip with him for half an hour at a time. Six times a week at least Doffen was in the seventh heaven of delight. She asked him questions about everything under the sun, consulting him on every imaginable subject. And then she would thank him with one of those wonderful smiles, and a look from those dark eyes of hers — oh, it was beyond all bearing. Doffen pondered long and deep, seeking some way of coming to the point. He must not let the others get there before him, and he decided on a coup de main, which, as he had read in the life of Napoleon, was the proper way to win a battle. He would go directly to the Admiral himself. One morning, then, the Admiral came into the office, looked long and attentively at Doffen, and finally said : 298 DRY FISH AND WET " What's the matter with you, man ? YouVe getting to look like a plucked goose, for all the sign of life in you ! " And he jumped up on his stool. " It's a dog's life being a man," declared Doffen sententiously. " You find it easier, no doubt, to be a monkey," said the Admiral. " Well, anyway, I'd be a sort of relative of yours," said Doffen. " And it's as well to be on good terms with the devil, they say." The Admiral laughed. This was a bad sign. Ugh ! So Doffen was going to be funny, and make jokes. That sort of polite conversation was a thing the Admiral detested ; it was blank tomfoolery ; soup without salt. No ; what he enjoyed was proper high temper on both sides like a couple of flints striking sparks. Any- thing short of that made Hfe a washy, milk-and-watery dreariness. And most people, according to his opinion, were just a set of slack-kneed molly-coddles that sheered off at the first encounter. Devil take their measly souls ! When he did happen to meet with a fellow-citizen who could get into a proper towering passion, he felt like falling on his neck out of sheer gratitude and admiration. Here, at last, was a man ! Women he placed in a separate category : they were " fellow-creatures," just as rabbits, for instance, whose chief business in life was to have young ones. Doffen, then, ought to have realised that the moment was not opportune for a coup de main. He had, however, only the day before, seen the Princess out for a long walk with young Endresen, and he felt he must act promptly, so he went on : THE ADMIRAL 299 " You could make a happy man of me, Admiral ! '* " You're happy enough as it is, man." "No, not quite. There's one thing wanting." " And what's that ? " " Your daughter " " Hey ? Are you off your head ? " " Your daughter," repeated Doff en. "I'd be a good husband to her, and a proper son-in-law to you." " I'll give you son-in-law ! " roared the Admiral, and, picking up the big Directory, he sent it full at Doff en's chest ; the latter, taken by surprise, came tumbUng down from his stool, and fell against the wood- box in the corner. " You miserable nincompoop ! " snorted the Admiral, as he rushed out of the room. Doffen lay in the corner by the wood-box, groaning pitifully. The noise had been heard all over the house, and the Princess came rushing in to see what was the matter " Are you ill, Eriksen ? " she asked, taking his hand. "Oh, I think I must be dying," he said, touching his chest. " No, no," said she. " It's not so bad as all that." " And if so, I shall have died for you." " Let me help you up on the sofa, now, and I'll fetch you a glass of water." With her support he limped across to the sofa. " Better now ? " she asked, handing him the glass of water. " Oh, I'm so fond of you," said he, and tried to take her hand. "Oh, do stop that nonsense ! " said she, with a laugh. 300 DRY FISH AND WET " Stop ? How can I stop when I love you as deeply as ... as ..." he paused, unable to find a suffici- ently powerful expression, then suddenly the inspira- tion came, and, raising himself on his elbow, he went on — " as deeply as is possible in this line of business I '* " Oh no, really ; you can talk about this another time, you know. Come along now, Eriksen, pull yourself together and be a man." *' Then it's not a final refusal — not a harsh and cruel * no ' such as your father flung at me just now — with that heavy book ? Say it's not that ! " But she was gone. Doffen lay back on the sofa once more, closed his eyes, and thought of her. At last he fell asleep, and lay there, never noticing when the Admiral peeped in through the door, " to see if the carcass was still alive." The sound of Doffen's snoring, however, reassured him, and he went away again, contented and relieved. The Princess sat in her room, highly amused with the thought of her latest admirer. What a funny creature he was ! She rather liked him really, for all that ; he was always so willing and kind, and if one's ardent worshippers themselves agree to be reduced to the status of " just friends," why, it may be very handy at times to have them in reserve. No, she would not quarrel with Eriksen, because of this, not at all. But, to tell the truth, it was getting quite a nuisance with all these admirers. Everyone of them was always wanting to meet her and go for a walk with her, and talk of love ! Oh, she was so utterly weary of them all. These simpletons who imagined she was going to settle down and stay in this little place all her life ! THE ADMIRAL 301 Heavens alive, what an existence ! No, thank you, not if she knew it ! It was annoying, in this frame of mind, to recollect that she promised Endresen junior to meet him at twelve o'clock by the big pond in the park. Still, a promise was a promise ; she would have to go. And lo, he came up with a huge bouquet of pale yellow roses, her favourite flower, as he knew, tied round with a piece of thin red ribbon. " When the roses are faded, you can take the ribbon and bind me with it," he said. " When the roses have faded ? Oh, but that won't be for a long time yet — thank goodness." And she laughed. " Well, so much the better ; you can tie me up at once." " But suppose I don't want to ? *' ** Then I'll die. Baby. Go off and shoot myself, or drown myself." " Drown yourself ? Oh, do it now. I'll bet any- thing you wouldn't dare." " I assure you I mean it," he said, placing one hand on his heart. " Well, now, let me see what sort of a man you are, Endresen. Walk round the edge of the pond here five times " *' And what then ? " " Then — oh, then you shall have " " Yes ? " " — My sincere admiration, let us say. That'll do to go on with." And she smiled mischievously. He jumped up on to the narrow stone edging of the pond and began balancing his way carefully along, the Princess walking by his side, counting the rounds. 302 DRY FISH AND WET One — two — three — four times round. " One more, and you've done it," she said encouragingly. " And then I've won your hand, haven't I ? " he cried. '* Once more round, and — we'll think about it. Now, last lap ! " He stepped cautiously along, and was nearing the end of the fifth round, when all of a sudden she jumped up and gave him a push that sent him into the water up to his waist. "No, that's not fair. Baby. I won." She danced up and down, clapping her hands and laughing delightedly. ** Adieu, Endresen ! my sincere admiration. It was splendid ! But I don't think I'll walk home with you now, or people might think you'd been drowning yourself for my sake." And she ran off. Coming through the town she encountered old Consul Endresen, who stopped, as usual, to talk to her. " You're looking younger than ever. Consul," said the Princess. " Am I, though ? Oh, you know how to get at an old man's heart, little sunbeam that you are ! Looking younger than ever, eh — and I'm sixty-seven to-day," which, by the way, was three years less than the truth. " To-day ? Oh, then I must wish you many happy returns — and here, let me give you these flowers." He stopped in surprise. " But, my dearest child, you don't mean it, surely ? These flowers, these charming roses, they were for somebody else now, I'm sure." *' Not a bit of it — they're for you." " Why, then, since you are pleased to command, I THE ADMIRAL 303 bow — and many thanks." And, bowing deeply, he took her hand and kissed it. The Princess hurried homeward, laughing at the face of young Endresen when his father appeared with the flowers. While all this was going on, Karsten junior was sitting deep in thought as to whether he ought not to propose to the Princess himself. He had sounded his father on the subject, and the latter had made no positive objection to the match. True, it was not altogether comme il faut, but still, it might be passed over — though he certainly considered the old man intolerable. Karsten junior was not much of a speaker, and determined, therefore, to write instead. But he found this, too, a ticklish business. He had never " operated in that market " before, and was altogether unac- quainted with the article known as love. The opening phrase of the contemplated letter was a stumbling- block to begin with. Should he write " Miss," or ** Miss Baby," or " Dear Miss Baby " — or even straight out, " Dear Baby " — but no, he must do the thing correctly in due form. The house of Karsten was an old-established firm, and he must make this evident. He decided at last for " Miss " simply. " Referring to our conversation of 7th inst., I hereby beg to inform you . . ."etc. He wrote on his sister's ivory paper, put the letter neatly in an envelope, and sent it off. The Princess laughed when she got the letter. She read it aloud to herself, and exclaimed with con- viction : " What a fool ! " Altogether it had been a day of amusing experiences for the Princess, but there was more to come. Yet 304 DRY FISH AND WET another letter arrived, that filled her with unbounded astonishment. It ran as follows : " My dear little Friend, — Do not be startled at receiving these lines from an old man. George Sand was once asked when a woman ceased to love, and she answered, Never. But if I were asked now, when a man ceases to love, I should answer, for my own part, I no longer love, I only admire and worship. You will, I am sure, have realised, little friend, that it is you I worship, your talents, your beauty, your goodness of heart and brilliant spirit. What can I offer you ? A faithful protector, a good home, in peace and harmony. " Think this over now, think well and wisely, and keep what I have said a secret between ourselves. Whatever you may do, whichever way your life may turn, your happiness will be my greatest wish. — Affectionately yours, " C. Endresen, Sen." This time she did not laugh, but took a match and burned the letter in the stove. " This must be the end," she murmured to herself. '* I won't stay here any longer with all these ridiculous men." She thought and pondered for several days until the Admiral came in one day and said he was going away for a week or so on business. In a moment her plan was made. She said nothing to him of what was in her mind ; he would never have understood, and it would have made no end of trouble all round. But she would take Missa into her confidence. Missa had been a mother to her from the moment she realised she was living in this world ; she would tell her all. THE ADMIRAL 305 ** Missa/' she said, throwing her arms round her neck, " I can't stand this any longer." " There, there now ; what is it, child ? " " I can't bear to live in this dreadful place. I must g,et away somehow." " Oh dear, dear ! it's just what I think. A dreadful place." " Yes, there you are. And we'll go away, Missa, you and I, out into the beautiful wide world." " But for Heaven's sake, what about your father ? " '* Father mustn't know about it. We'll just go off by ourselves — run away, Missa dear." " Run away ! God bless me no, child ! The Admiral ..." The Princess begged and prayed, using all her powers of persuasion and caresses, until Missa was gradually stripped of all arguments to the contrary, and finally rose to her feet. " But, Baby dear, how shall we make our living ? " But at that the Princess jumped up and began dancing wildly around. " Missa, I'll dance — dance for all the world ; make them wild with delight, till they throw themselves at my feet. Missa, don't you understand, can't you imagine . . . oh, Missa, if you only knew . . . But you shall see, you shall see for yourself. ..." She sank down on the sofa, sobbing violently. Next day the Princess went down to the office. Doffen was now completely himself again after the Admiral's very effective " refusal." He beamed like the sun when the Princess came in, made her a deep bow and said : "At your service, Miss — at your service, he, he ! " " Ah, so you're still aUve, Eriksen ? " 20 3o6 DRY FISH AND WET " Alive ! The sight of you would have wakened me from the dead ! " " Eriksen, will you do me a favour ? " " Will I ? Anything, Miss, anything a man can do." ** I want a thousand pounds." Eriksen slid down from his stool. " A thousand — pounds / Heaven preserve us ! A thousand ! I haven't more than seven-and-six on me." " But father has." " The Admiral ! Yes, of course, he has ; and more. But that's not mine. Da — " he checked himself, recollecting it was not the Admiral to whom he was speaking — " dear me, you wouldn't have me steal his money ? " " Oh, all you need do is to let me have the key." " No, no, my dear young lady, no It would never do." ** But it's only drawing a little in advance — on my inheritance, Eriksen, you know. That's all it is." He stood reflecting quite a while. ** But — what on earth do you want all that money for ? " She took his hand, and he trembled with emotion. " Eriksen, you're my friend, aren't you ? " " Heaven knows I am, Miss." '* Well, I'm going out into the wide world — to dance." *' But, heavens alive — that makes it worse than ever ! The Admiral, he surely isn't going off dancing as well ? " ** No ; Missa's coming with me. We leave to-morrow, for Paris, Eriksen — London — New York — oh, ever so far ! " THE ADMIRAL 307 " But — but then, I shall never see you again." " Indeed you shall, Eriksen ; I'll send you tickets, a whole box all to yourself, for my performance in Paris. Just fancy, a box at the theatre all to yourself. And you must pay me a thousand pounds for it now." " But the Admiral — the Admiral ! I might just as well give myself up and go to jail." " Don't talk nonsense, Eriksen ! Are you my friend or are you not ? " The Princess got her thousand. And Eriksen duly entered in his cash book : " By cash advanced to Miss Baby on account, as per receipt number 325, £1000." And the Princess on her part solemnly signed for the money : '* Received cash in advance on account of expected inheritance, £1000 — one thousand pounds." Doffen spent the evening helping Missa and the Princess with their packing. She promised to write and let him know how she got on, and gave him a photo of herself at parting, with the inscription : *' To my true friend Doffen, from Baby." Doffen kept it near his heart. Missa gave him her photo too, but that he quietly put away in a back pocket. Next morning he went down to the quay to see them off. The Princess stood at the stern of the ghip, and waved to him. He was proud to think 3o8 DRY FISH AND WET that he was the only one she waved to, he was the one to receive her farewell smile. And so the Princess set out into the wide world. • •••••• When the Admiral returned he found the following letter awaiting him : ** Dear Father, — Missa and I have decided to go for a little trip to Paris, possibly also London, New York, San Francisco, etc. We couldn't stand it any longer, living in that old town of yours. " I have drawn £1000 from Eriksen ; I hope you won't mind. I don't think we could really manage with less. " And, please, don't be nastier than usual to Eriksen about it. I made him do it. *' So long, then, for the present, and take care of yourself. You shall hear from us when we get there. — Your own Baby.*' The Admiral grunted, got up and walked twice up and down the room ; then, muttering to himself, " All right," he put the letter in the^tove. When the Admiral came down to the office. Doff en was inclined to be somewhat shaky about the knees. He pulled himself together, however, and, bearing in mind the example of Napoleon, took the offensive at once. " Your daughter's gone away. Admiral ! " " Oh, go to " " Thanks. I don't think I will. I'm very com- fortable where I am." •' You're a fool." * There's bigger fools about." THE ADMIRAL 309 " Why didn't you give her two thousand ? " " She'd have had five thousand." " You've no idea what it costs to go travelhng about. A miserable stay-at-home hke you." At this Doff en grew angry in earnest, and slammed down the lid of his desk, making the ink-stands fairly dance. '* Well, of all the . . . First of all I do my very utmost to save you from being ruined by your illegiti- mate offspring, then I manage to get her away in a decent, respectable manner — you ought to be thoroughly ashamed of yourself, if you ask me." The Admirallooked round as if in search of some- thing. " What the devil have you done with that Directory ? " he said at last. *' Oho ! Perhaps you'd like to be had up for another attempted manslaughter, what ? " " Not a bit of it. But there's a reward for ex- termination of rats and other mischievous beasts." Here the discussion was interrupted by the entrance of Ferryman Arne, who just looked in to ask if the Admiral hadn't an old pair of breeches to give away, as the seat was all out of the ones he was wearing. The Admiral never refused. He went to a wardrobe, routed out an old pair and gave them to Arne. The latter examined them carefully, front and back, but instead of saying thank you, he rudely declared that if the Admiral wanted to give a poor man something to wear, he might at least give him something that wasn't falling to bits already. This led to a most satisfactory battle-royal between Arne and the Admiral, each trying to outdo the other in lurid pigeon-English — a tongue which both of 310 DRY FISH AND WET them spoke fluently, Arne having been twelve years in the China Seas. And in the end the Admiral presented Arne with two brand-new pairs of trousers and a pound in cash. The years passed by. Doften stayed on in the office, and became indispensable as time went on. He and the Admiral made a pair. And whenever the conversa- tion languished towards the milk-and-watery. Ferry- man Arne would come and lend a hand. The Princess roamed far and wide about the world. She sent home newspapers, wherein they read that she was performing at this or that great city, with thousands of admirers at her tiny feet. The Admiral read it all without the sUghtest token of surprise, his only comment being : " All right, that's her business." But when one day he received a card bearing the inscription, " Countess Montfalca," surmounted by a coronet, he spat, and remarked to Doffen : " Well, after all, there's nothing surprising in that, seeing her mother was a queen." XXI DIRRIK THE first time I met him was in 1867, ^^ board the schooner Jenny of Svelvik. The skipper was an uncle of mine, and had taken me along as odd boy for a summer cruise. And Ole Didriksen, or Dirrik, as we called him, was first hand on board. We had taken in a cargo of pit props at Drammen, and came down the fjord with a light northerly breeze. A little way out the wind dropped altogether and the Jenny lay drifting idly under a blazing sun. Dirrik sounded the well, and declared that " the old swine was leaking like a sieve." — " Nonsense ! " said the skipper. " Why, it's not more than three years since her last overhaul." — " Maybe," said Dirrik, ** but she's powerful old." — " Old she may be-^built in '32 — and I won't say but she's a trifle groggy about the ribs ; still, she's good for this bit of a run. And summer weather and all." Dirrik tried again. " Twenty-two inches," he said, and looked inquiringly at the skipper. " Well, then, you two men get the boat and go ashore for a few sacks of caulking. There's plenty of ant-heaps up in the wood there." I was ready to burst with pride at finding myself thus bracketed with Dirrik as a " man." I felt 3" 312 DRY FISH AND WET myself a sailor already, and would not have bartered the title for that of a Consul-General or Secretary of State. But the ant-heaps puzzled me. I could see no con- nection between ant-heaps in a wood on shore and the caulking of a leaky schooner. However, the first duty of man at sea is to obey the orders of the supreme power on board, i.e. the skipper ; I curbed my curiosity, then, for the time, and waited till we were a few lengths away from the ship. " Ant-heaps ? " said Dirrik. " Why, 'tis the only way to do with a leaky old tub like that. We dig *em up, d'ye see, pine needles and all, and drag a easeful round her sides and down towards her keel, and she sucks it all up in her seams, ants and needles and bits of twigs, and the whole boiling, and that's the finest caulking you can get ! " " Queer sort of caulking," I said. " There's queerer things than that, lad, when a vessel gets that old. It's the same like with human beings. Some of them keeps sound and fit, and others go rotten and mouldy and drink like hogs — but they often live the longest for all that ! " " Do you think we'll ever get her across to England, Dirrik ? " '* Get her across ? Why, what are you thinking of ? She's never had so much as a copper nail put in these last thirty years, but she'll sail for all that. Run all heeled over on one side, she will, and squirming and screeching like a sea-serpent." " She looks a bit cranky, anyway," I ventured. " Warped and gaping. But still she'll do the trip for all that." We reached the shore, and Dirrik ordered me up DIRRIK 313 into the wood to fill the sacks, while he just ran up to old Iversen, the pilot, for a moment. I managed, not without some difficulty, to get the boat loaded up, but it was a full half-hour before Dirrik appeared. At last he came strolling down, in company with a pretty, buxom girl. " This is my young lady, an' her name's Margine," said Dirrik, and pointing to me : " Our new hand on board." — " Well, see you make a nice trip," said Margine, ** and come back again soon." We caulked the Jenny as per instructions, and got her taut as a bottle. " Ants, they trundles off sharp, all they know, into the holes for safety," Dirrik ex- plained, " and take along the pine needles with 'em." A fresh northerly wind took us well out into the North Sea ; then, a few days later, we lay becalmed on the Dogger. An Enghsh fishing vessel sent a boat aboard of us, trading fresh cod for a couple of bottles of gin. Looking through the skyhght I saw the old man quietly making up the two bottles from one, by the simple process of adding water to fill up. Rank swindling it seemed to me, but he explained afterwards that it was " our way of keeping down drunkenness, my boy." Eight days out from Drammen we put in to Seaham Harbour. Half our cargo under deck was sodden through, for we'd three feet of water in the hold all the voyage, despite the patent caulking. " Get it worse going home," said Dirrik. " We're taking small coal to Drobak." A few hours later we were getting in our cargo, and soon the Jenny was loaded almost to the water- line with smalls. We were just about to batten down the hatches, when the skipper came along and told 314 DRY FISH AND WET us to wait, there was some Government stuff still to come. Down the quay trundled a heavy railway waggon with two pieces of cannon, and before we had properly time to wonder at the sight, the crane had taken hold, the guns swung high in the air above the quay, and — one, two, three — down they came into the main hatchway all among the coals The schooner gave a sort of gasp as the crane let go, and I thought for a moment we had broken her back. She went several inches lower in the water, till the chain bolts were awash, and the scuppers clear by no more than a hair's breadth. " This looks dangerous," I said to the skipper cautiously, as he stood by the side. *' Why, what are you afraid of ? " " My life," was all I found to answer. " And a lot to be afraid of in that ! " said he, spitting several yards out into the dock. " The guns are for the fort at Oskarsborg, and it isn't every voyage I can make fifteen pounds over a couple of fellows like that." We set off on our homeward voyage. Fortunately, our protecting ants still kept to their places in the leaks, or there would have been an end of us, and the guns as well. The skipper was ill, and stuck to his berth the whole way home. The night before we left Seaham Harbour he had been to a crab-supper ashore at the ship-chandler's, and what with stewed crabs and ginger beer, the feast had " upset all his innards," as he put it. We got into trouble rounding the Ness. Dirrik was at the helm, and hailed the skipper to ask if we hadn't better shorten sail. DIRRIK 315 ** Nonsense ! " said the old man. " It's summer weather — keep all standing till she's clear." The rigging sang, and the water was flung in showers over the deck. Dirrik ran her up into the wind as well as he could, but was afraid of going about. Then : Crack ! from aloft, and crack ! went the jibboom, and the flying jib was off and away to leeward like a bat. The skipper thrust up his head to take in the situation. " Got her clear ? " he asked. *' Ay," says Dirrik calmly, " clear enough, and all we've got to do now is pull in the rags that's left, and paddle home as best we can." We were not a pretty sight when we made Drobak, but the guns were landed safely, and that was the main thing. • «•••• After that, I saw no more of Dirrik till I met him at the Seaman's School in Piperviken in 1872. There were three of us chums there : Rudolf, a great big giant of eighteen, with fair curly hair and smiling blue eyes. A good fellow was Rudolf, but uncommonly powerful and always ready to get to hand grips with anyone if they contradicted him, Dirrik was fifteen years our senior at least. He had been twenty years at sea already, and reckoned the pair of us as '* boys." Dirrik had never got beyond the rank of " first- hand " on board ; it was always this miserable exam that stood in his way. It was his highest ambition to pass for mate, and then perhaps some day, with luck, get a skipper's berth on some antiquated hulk along the coast. But Dirrik was unfortunate. It counted for nothing here that he had been several times round 3i6 DRY FISH AND WET the Horn, and received a silver knife from the Dutch Government for going overboard in a gale, with a line round his waist, to rescue three Dutchmen whose boat was capsizing on the Dogger. It was as much as he could do to write. I can still see his rugged fingers, misshapen after years of rough work at sea, gripping the penholder convulsivelv, as if it had been a marlin -spike, and screwing his mouth up, now to one side, now to the other, as he painfully scrawled some entry in the " log." " No need to look as if you were going to have a tooth out," said Rudolf. "I'd rather be lying out on Jan Mayen, shooting seal in forty degrees of frost," said Dirrik, wiping his brow. " Devil take me, but I've half a mind to ship for the Arctic myself next spring," said Rudolf. " Got to get through with this first," I said. " Ay, that's true," said Dirrik. " I've been up four times now, and if I don't pass this time, my girl won't wait any longer." " Girl ? " said Rudolf, with sudden interest. " Margine Iversen's her name. We've been pro- mised now eleven years, and we must get married this spring." " Must, eh ? " said I. " He's been drawing in advance, what ! " said Rudolf, nudging me in the ribs. " No more of that, lads," said Dirrik. " Women- folk, they've their own art of navigation, and I know more about it than you've any call to do at your age." Just then Captain Wille, the principal of the school, eame up. DIRRIK 317 " Well, boys, how goes it ? " " Nicely, thank ye. Captain,*' answered Dirrik. " But this 'ere blamed azimuth's a hard nut to crack.' Dirrik wiped the sweat from his brow with a blue- checked handkerchief, and blew his nose with startling violence. '* You won't need a foghorn next time you get on board," said Wille slyly. " I say, though. Captain," said Rudolf, " we must get old Dirrik through somehow. If he doesn't pass this time, he'll be all adrift." " Oho ! " said the Captain, smiling all over his kindly face. " And how's that ? " '* Why, he's got to get married this spring, whether he wants to or no." " But he doesn't need that certificate to get married." " Ay, but I do, though. Captain," said Dirrik earnestly. '* For look you, navigation's badly needed in these waters, and I'll sure come to grief without." " Why, then, we must do what we can to get you through," said Wille. And, seating himself beside Dirrik, he began to explain the mysteries of sine, cosine and tangent. Dirrik sat with all his mental nerves strained taut as the topmast shrouds in a storm. But the more he listened to Wille's explanations the more incom- prehensible he seemed to find the noble art and science of navigation. Presently Lt. Knap, the second master, came up, and reheved Captain Wille at his task. Knap was quite young in those days, an excitable fellow with a sharp nose that gave him an air of self-importance. But a splendid teacher, that he was. I can still hear his voice, after vain attempts to ram something into 3i8 DRY FISH AND WET Dirrik's thick head : " But, damnation take it, man, I don't believe you understand a word ! " No, Dirrik didn't understand a word, or, at any rate, very Httle. One thing he did know, however, and that was, if a man can take his meridian and mark out his course on the chart, he can find his way anywhere on the high seas. " All this rigmarole about azimuths and amplitudes and zeniths and moons and influence and tides, it's just invented to plague the life out of honest, sea- faring folk." This heartfelt plaint of Dirrik's was received with loud applause by the rest of the school. Knap himself was as delighted as the rest, and sang out over our heads : " Well, you can be sure I'd be only too glad to leave out half of it, for it is all a man can do to knock the rest of it into your heads." Skipper Sartz, the third master, was a very old and very slow, but a thorough-going old salt, who would rather spin us a yarn at any time than bother about navigation. We learned very little of that from him, and he was generally regarded more as a comrade than as a master. Rudolf supplied him with tobacco, free of charge, to smoke in lesson-time, so there was no very strict discipline during those hours. It was a trick of Rudolf's, I remember, when Sartz was going through lessons with him, to get hold of a ruler in his left hand and draw it gently up and down the tutor's back. Sartz would think it was me, and swing round sud- denly to let off a volley, ending up as a rule with a recommendation to us generally to " give over these etcetera etcetera tricks, and try and behave as young gentlemen should." At last the great day came when Dirrik was to go up for his exam. K. G. Smith — he's an admiral now — DIRRIK 319 was the examiner. All of us, teachers included, were fond of Dirrik, and would have been sorry to see him fail again. ** Well, if I do get through this time," said Dirrik, smiling all over his cheery face, " I'll stand treat all round so the mess won't forget it for a week." And really I think he would rather have faced a four week's gale of the winter-north-Atlantic type, or undertaken to assassinate the Emperor of China, than march up to that examination table. When the time came for the viva voce, Rudolf and I could stand it no longer, we had to go in and listen. Never before or since have I seen such depths of despair on any human face Poor Dirrik mopped his brow, and blew his nose, and we sat there, with serious faces, feeUng as if we were watching some dear departed about to be lowered into the grave. I can safely say I have never experienced a more solemn or trying ceremony, not even when I, myself, was launched into the state of holy matrimony before the altar. The examiner sat bending over his work, entering something or other — of particular importance, to judge by the gravity of his looks. We heard only the scratching of his pen on the paper. Suddenly the silence was broken by a curious hissing sound : " Fssst — fssst ! " and then, a moment later, from the direction of the stove : " Sssss ! " It was Rudolf, who had squirted out a jet of tobacco juice between his teeth over on to the stove in the comer. Both the censors looked up, and the examiner laid down his pen, flashing a fiery glance at Rudolf from under his bushy brows. 320 DRY FISH AND WET *' Pig ! " said I, loud enough for the examiner to hear, and was rewarded with a nod of approval. This saved the situation, for if the old man had lost his temper, it would have been all up with Dirrik's exam. Rudolf sat staring before him, entirely unconcerned. At last they began. I can still see the examiner's close-cropped hair and bushy eyebrows. " Well, sir, can you tell me why a compass needle invariably points towards the north ? " Dirrik had not understood a syllable, but felt he ought in common decency to make pretence of thinking it out for a bit, then he said : " Beg pardon. Captain, but would you mind reading out the question once again ? " A faint, almost imperceptible smile passed over the Captain's face. The two old skippers, Olsen and Wleugel, sat solemn as owls. Dirrik looked at the examiner, then at the censor, and finally his glance rested on us, with an expression of helpless resignation. Rudolf nodded, and whispered " Cheer up," but Dirrik neither saw nor heard. " Compass," he murmured — " Compass needle — points — points . . ," " Well," said the examiner, " why does it always point to the north ? " And suddenly Dirrik's face lit up with a flash of blessed inspiration : " Why," he said cheerfully, " I suppose it's just a habit it's got." This time the examiner could not help laughing, and the censors themselves seemed to thaw a little. " H'm," said the examiner. " Yes . . . well, and suppose your compass needle happened to forget that DIRRIK 321 little habit it's got, as may happen, for instance, when a vessel's loaded with iron — what would you do ? " Evidently he was in a good humour now. " Sail by the sun and the watch," answered Dirrik promptly. He was wide awake now, and drew out as he spoke a big silver watch with a double case. "I've sailed by this fellow here from the Newfound- land Bank to Barrow in twelve days — it was with the barque Himalaya, of Holmestrand." " When was that ? " asked the examiner. " Seven years ago come Christmas it was." Dirrik felt himself now master of the situation, and ran on gaily, as one thoroughly at ease. " It was bUnding snow on the Banks that time. The skipper was down with inflammation of the lungs, and lay in his bunk delirious ; we'd shipped some heavy seas, and got four stanchions broken, and the mate with four of his ribs bashed in, so he couldn't move. And as for the crew, the less said about them the better. We'd three niggers aboard and an Irish- man, and a couple of drunken gentlemen that'd never been to sea before. " Well, I had to sail and navigate and all. It was a gale that went on day after day, till you'd think the devil himself was hard at it with a bellows. But, luckily, I'd this old watch of mine, and she's better than any of your chronometers, for it's a sixteen-ruby watch " " Sixteen ruby — what's that ? " asked the ex- aminer with interest. Dirrik was proud as a peacock at the question ; fancy the examiner having to ask him ! ** Why, it's this way. If you look inside an ordinary watch, you'll find it's either five rubies or ten, but it's 21 322 DRY FISH AND WET very rarely you come across one with sixteen, and the more rubies youVe got in a watch, the better she goes. Well, anyway, when the watch came round to noon midday, I'd take the run and check off our course, and that way I got to windward of her deviations and magnetic variations and all the tricks there are to a compass mostly. Then, of course, I'd to look to the log, and mark off each day's run on the chart." " Not so bad, not so bad," said the examiner, nodding to the skippers. "No, we did none so badly, and that's the truth. For we got into Barrow at high water twelve days* sail from the Banks. The Insurance Company wanted to give me a gold watch, but I said, * No, thank you, if t'was all the same, I'd rather have it in cash,' so they sent me what they call a testimonial, and £15. And that was doing the handsome thing, for it was no more than my duty after all. As for the crowd of rapscallions we'd aboard, I gave them a pound a-piece for themselves — ^the poor devils had done what they could, though it was Uttle enough." " Have you ever taken the sun's altitude with a sextant ? " " Surely," said Dirrik. " Meridian and latitude and all the rest of it." " Well ..." the examiner turned to the censors. " I think that ought to be enough . . . ? " And the pair of them nodded approval. '* Right ! That will do." Dirrik was dismissed with a gesture, and, making his bow to each in turn, he hurried out as fast as he could. Next day one of the censors. Skipper Wleugel, came down to the school and informed us that Dirrik had passed, albeit with lowest possible marks. DIRRIK 323 Followed cheers for Dirrik, and cheers for the ex- aminer, and cheers for Knap — the last-named happen- ing to come out just at that moment, to see what all the noise was about. That evening Dirrik invited Rudolf and myself to the feast he had promised — great slabs of steak and heaps of onions, with beer and snaps ad lib., and toddy and black cigars to top off with. And going home that night we knocked the stuf&ng out of five young students from the Academy, on the grounds that they lacked the higher education Dirrik now possessed. Altogether, it was a most successful evening. Dirrik went back home after that and married his Margine. Three months later he was the father of a bouncing boy, who was christened Sinus Knap Didriksen, in pious memory of his father's studies in the art of navigation and his teacher in the same. PRINTED BY MORKISON AND GIBB LID. EDINBURGH MODERN TROUBADOURS The Record of THE CONCERTS AT THE FRONT Crown %vo Cloth 5S. net The sub-title, ** Concerts at the Front," is known to almost every soldier who fought in the Great War. The book is a record of the experiences of the actors and musicians who during the years from 191 5 to the end of 19 19 went to the War Zones. The record is written by Lena Ashwell, known as an actress, who was the Honorary Organiser of this effort through which plays and music were taken to the armies by over six hundred artists. It is the first time since the very early days of civilisa- tion that Drama and Music have received official re- cognition, with the result that the teaching and use of plays and music was placed in Army Orders. In the Final Report of the Adult Education Committee the importance of the Drama is for the first time insisted upon as a means of education. The book is of interest, therefore, not only in giving a somewhat new impression of the Great War, but as a record of a new departure which in time may lead to the position of the great arts in relation to the National life being greatly changed. The human interest of the book is great and the evi- dence of the power of well-directed emotion is remarkable. THE GARLAND By SIGRID UNDSET Crown Svo Cloth 7S. 6d. net A masterly historical novel of fourteenth - century Norway. Kristin, the heroine, is the daughter of a lord of the manor in Gudbrandsdal ; she is singled out as a child for a dangerous and romantic destiny. The story of her early betrothal and of the wild love romance that breaks it is told in "The Garland" in scenes of intense dramatic effect, and the characters of the heroine, her lovers, and her parents are developed with extraordinary power. The mediaeval setting is marked by a picturesque realism, and the atmosphere of the time, with its strong passions and superstitious terrors, is reproduced in a most convincing way. THE LONG JOURNEY FIRE AND ICE By JOHANNES V. JENSEN Translated by A. G. CHATER Crown 8vo Cloth 7S, 6d. net Johannes V. Jensen, whose work is new to English readers, was born in 1873 in Himmerland, the district of North Jutland which is richest in memories of the past. He has been recognised for the last thirty years as an independent force in Danish literature, where his pro- duction marks a revolt against the French influences prevalent at the close of the nineteenth century and a return to old Scandinavian motives, with a strong leaning towards the English school of imaginative writing. His work is full of a primitive force, which is combined with a power of lyrical description probably unsurpassed at the present day. In *'The Long Journey" Johannes V. Jensen tells the story of the white man, in a series of romances or *' myths," of which the first are now presented in English. ** Fire and Ice" is a story of adventure — the greatest adventure in the history of mankind — telling with vivid realism and much underlying humour how the white man became white and acquired the powers of self-reliance which made him master of the world. The story opens in the lost Paradise, where man steals fire from Heaven. Armed with it he challenges Nature and goes through the Ice Age, which sets the boundary between the white man and the savage. When the thaw comes there are two races on earth, and their first en- counter brings the clash of drama. DOWNSTREAM By SIGFRID SIWERTZ Translated by E. CLASSEN Crown Bvo Cloth 7S. 6d. net This is the story of a family of brothers and sisters, the Selambs, neglected in childhood and left to grow up under chance influences. * ' Selambshof, " the decayed family home, is in the neighbourhood of Stockholm, and the growth of the capital gives it an enhanced value which is not without its influence on the destinies of the family. The author has traced the adventures and development of these highly individualised Selambs in a way that makes this one of the most absorbing novels produced in recent years. Sigfrid Siwertz has rapidly come to the front among Swedish novelists, and this, his most important work to date, has firmly established him in the first rank. THIS BOOK TP ^TTTT Tb 466 Vb