Part 13 (2/2)
In response to the manufacturer's questions, the Dane told him about this adventurous journey also.
”Isn't there a blue peak somewhere in the mountains about here?” said Mrs.
Molie. ”I suppose you'll be going up that next. Where ever will you stop?”
Yes, the Dane felt quite tempted by this peak, but said he believed it was unconquerable.
”I should have climbed that peak long ago if you, Miss Torsen, hadn't forbidden me,” said the lawyer.
”You'd never have made it,” said Mrs. Molie in an indifferent tone. This was probably her revenge. She turned to the Dane again as though ready to believe him capable of anything.
”I shouldn't want anyone to think of climbing that peak,” said Miss Torsen. ”It's as bare as a s.h.i.+p's mast.”
”What if I tried it, Gerda?” the manufacturer asked his wife with a smile.
”After all, I'm an old sailor.”
”Nonsense,” she said, smiling a little.
”Well, I climbed the mast of a schooner last spring.”
”Where?”
”In Iceland.”
”What for?”
”I don't know, though--all this mountain climbing--I haven't much use for it,” said the manufacturer.
”What did you do it for? What did you climb the mast for?” his wife repeated nervously.
The manufacturer laughed.
”The curiosity of the female s.e.x--!”
”How can you do a thing like that! And what about me and the children if you--”
She broke off. Her husband grew serious and took her hand.
”It was stormy, my dear; the sails were flapping, and it was a question of life and death. But I shouldn't have told you. Well--we'd better say good night now, Gerda.”
The manufacturer and his wife got up.
Then the first man from Bergen made another speech.
The manufacturer stayed with us for the promised three days, and then made ready to travel again. His mood never changed; he was contented and entertaining the whole time. Every evening one whisky and soda was brought him--no more. Before their bedtime, his little girls had a wildly hilarious half-hour with him. At night a tremendous snoring could be heard from his cottage. Before his arrival, the little girls had spent a good deal of time with me, but now they no longer knew I existed, so taken up with their father were they. He hung a swing for them between the two rowan trees in the field, taking care to pack plenty of rag under the rope so as not to injure the tree.
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