Part 32 (1/2)
All four worked together with perfect understanding, and not a word was said either of the engagement or of the party.
”What are we to do with that fellow there?” said Abrahamsen, pointing to the Cupid.
Soren scratched his chin thoughtfully for a while, and, as a result of his cogitations, suggested ”making a fountain.” He had seen dozens of suchlike figures in the course of his travels. You set them up in gardens, with a hole bored through and a tube let in. Why not stick it up on the pump outside; it would look fine then! But Malvina insisted on getting rid of the thing altogether; it had caused mischief enough as it was. Thus Abrahamsen had an inspiration. ”Let's make Lawyer Nickelsen a present of it; he's got a couple of things much the same to look at. I dare say he'd be glad to have one more.”
The proposal was received with acclamation, Cilia herself offering no objection, but declaring they might do what they pleased with the thing.
Abrahamsen accordingly took the unfortunate Cupid, stuffed it into a sack, and marched off with it. Nickelsen was not a little surprised to receive a visit from the mischievous G.o.d, but on learning what was taking place in its former home, he consented to shelter the poor outcast. He also shook hands with Abrahamsen, and said:
”My dear Abrahamsen, I congratulate you--and I must say Cilia is wiser than I thought. It's not many people would have the sense and character to repair an error so resolutely as she has done.”
There was general astonishment in Strandvik when Cilia's elegant new furniture was seen being loaded on board a coasting-vessel down at the quay; still further wonder when it transpired that the entire consignment was destined for Christiania, to be sold by auction there.
Cilia went aboard calmly and quietly, paying no heed to gossip or impertinent questions. And indeed there were few who ventured to question her at all, for her manner was severe enough to keep even the most inquisitive at arm's length. As soon as the vessel had left, she had all the old furniture put back in its place. Malvina brought out her plaster angel, wiped it carefully, and set it up on the same old bracket again.
It was surprising how comfortable everything seemed at home now.
Soren was so delighted he went about rubbing his hands, and even Cilia herself seemed gentler and more tractable than before. So much so, indeed, that Soren decided to give up his quarters in the wash-house, and drank his bottled beer on a settle in the kitchen, as if it were the most natural thing in the world; and Cilia made no protest, but set out gla.s.s and tray for him herself! Soren felt he was the happiest man in the world, and it was not many weeks before all was back in the old routine, Cilia devoting herself in earnest to the business of s.h.i.+powning and chartering. Abrahamsen was transferred to the _Apollo_, and Soren went on board his old friend _Birkebeineren_, a skipper once more.
One thing Cilia found more astonis.h.i.+ng than all else, and that was that both Lawyer Nickelsen and old Prois himself took to calling at the house now and then; nay, more--she and Malvina were actually asked to tea at the Prois's. Cilia was finding out that there were more things in heaven and earth than were dreamt of in her philosophy.
Pa.s.sing by Cilia's well-kept garden in the spring, one might see a number of wine-gla.s.ses, minus the stems, but engraved with the monogram ”S. & C. B.,” placed protectingly over tender seedling or cuttings planted out in the round or oblong borders--”all that's left of the days when mother went wrong in the upper works,” said Soren Braaten.
XIV
A ROYAL VISIT
”Heard the news, Nickelsen?” cried Thor Smith, looking in at Nickelsen's door.
”No, what?”
”The King's coming.”
”Don't talk nonsense--what d'you mean?”
”It's true, honour bright. The Council's all head over heels already, fixing up a committee for the arrangement.”
”No, really? Why, that'll be first-rate. Just wanted something to brighten things up a bit; it's been very dull lately.” Old Nick rubbed his hands gleefully. ”Come along, let's walk down that way a bit and see if we can get hold of somebody in the know.”
”Hallo, here's Holm Berg! I say, are you on this committee?”
”No, thank goodness, I managed to get out of it. Not but that there were plenty anxious to get in!”
”Who's on it, then, do you know?”
”Well, there's Heidt, of course, as Justice, but he was quite put out about it himself, and wished His Majesty I won't say where. You see, it means getting new uniform, for the gold braid's all worn off his old one.”
”Well, and who else?”
”Oh, let's see; the parson, Governor Hansen, Watchmaker Rordam and Dr. Knap--oh yes, and Prois, of course, as Warden.”