“Here, don't go running away now!” cried the Captain. “I'm in a hurry!”
“Yes, you're in a hurry, of course,” repeated Fruen. “Going away again.
But you'd do well to think it over just for once. I've been thinking
things over myself lately; only you wouldn't see....”
“What do you mean?” he asked, haughty and stiff as ever. “Was it your
fooling about at night with your hair down and lights out you thought I
wouldn't see? Oh yes, no doubt!”
“I'll have to finish this on the anvil,” said I, and hurried off.
I stayed away longer than was needed, but when I came back Fruen was
still there. They were talking louder than before.
“And do you know what I have done?” said Fruen “I've lowered myself so
far as to show I was jealous. Yes, I've done that. Oh, only about the
maid ... I mean....”
“Well, and what then?” said the Captain.
“Oh, won't you understand? Well, have it your own way, then. You'll have
to take the consequences later; make no mistake about that!”
These were her last words, and they sounded like an arrow striking a
shield. She stepped out and strode away.
“Manage it all right?” said the Captain as I came up. But I could
see his thoughts were busy with other things; he was trying to appear
unconcerned. A little after, he managed to yawn, and said lazily: “Ugh,
it's a long drive. But if Nils can't spare a hand I must go myself.”
I had only to fix the lock in its place, and set a new strip down the
inside of the door-frame; it was soon done. The Captain tried the door,
put the key in his pocket, thanked me for the work, and went off.
A little later he drove away with Elisabet.
“See you again soon,” he called to Captain Bror and Engineer Lassen,
waving his hand to them both. “Mind that you have a good time while I'm
away!”