his duty as host, Cilia said. But for the first time in his life
Soren refused to obey, and that so emphatically that his wife was
startled. "If you and all the rest of them can't have me in my Sunday
coat as it is, why, well and good--I'll go out fishing that day and
you can have it all to yourselves." With which mutinous declaration
Soren went out into the kitchen and confided to Malvina that he'd
"had about enough of all this nonsense." Malvina cordially agreed,
and did her best to keep him in that frame of mind.
Cilia pondered over the matter for some time; she had never before
known Soren to disregard her injunctions in that fashion. But let him
wait; she'd give him "Sunday coat" with a vengeance once the party
was well over.
The first thing Abrahamsen learned when he returned was news of the
wonderful changes Cilia had made in the house. "Fitted up like a
palace," said old Holm Berg. Then, too, of course, there were plenty
of people to tell him of Malvina's engagement to Lt. Heidt, and how
the latter had been round at the house "every blessed day all
through the summer." Consequently, it was with heavy heart and
ill-forebodings that the mate set out to call. Fortunately, however,
he found Malvina alone in the front room, cleaning windows, and was
able to arrange a meeting with her in the wash-house as soon as he
had been in to deliver his report to Cilia. This was soon effected,
Cilia being so occupied with preparations for the party that she even
forgot to ask how much of the freight money was left.
Abrahamsen went down then to the wash-house, where doubts and fears
were soon disposed of, despite the fact that the lovers' affectionate
_tete-a-tete_ was interrupted by a violent rattling in the tub, where
Soren kept his bottled beer--the stout, alas, was gone long since.
The wash-house cellar was, as Soren put it, his "free port and patent
breakwater" where he could anchor in safety whenever the waves of
domestic strife ran over high.
A regular triple-alliance was now concluded between Soren, Abrahamsen
and Malvina to meet the treacherous plottings of the two remaining
powers: Cilia and Lt. Heidt. The Congress of the wash-house agreed
to adopt and maintain an attitude of armed and watchful neutrality
for the present, only proceeding to open hostilities in case of need,
when concerted action would be taken according as circumstances might
require.
While this conference was taking place, Lt. Heidt, who had arrived
meantime, was closeted with Cilia in long and earnest conversation,
in the course of which he declared that his intentions towards
Malvina were entirely honourable, and that it was his dearest wish to
become a son-in-law of the house.
The Lieutenant was all for an immediate decision, the engagement then
to be publicly declared on the following day at the party. Cilia,
however, foresaw difficulties in effecting this: it would be
necessary to prepare Malvina gradually for the honour and happiness
in store for her. Finally, it was agreed that Cilia should use her
utmost efforts, and tackle Malvina that same evening, get a
satisfactory answer out of her if possible, and then fire off the
news at dinner next day. The Lieutenant on his part was to hold
himself in readiness for immediate action at the opportune moment.
The pair then separated, with assurances of mutual esteem and
affection.
Cilia was so overwhelmed that she was obliged to remain a full
half-hour alone in the splendours of the newly furnished salon,
meditating upon the wonderful good fortune that was about to fall
upon the house. A real lieutenant, and the magistrate's son to
boot--an alliance with the leading family in the town! Thus was the
name of Braathen to be lifted from the potato-patch of vulgar
insignificance to the gardens of rank and "quality."
Abrahamsen, stealing out by by the back way, was just in time to
perceive Lt. Heidt taking leave of Cilia, and noting the cordiality
between the two, he realised that there was rough weather ahead
before he could hope to lay alongside his dainty prize. He confided
as much to his intimate friend, Thor Smith, the magistrate's clerk.
The latter had an ancient grudge against young Heidt, who had at one
time made some attempt at cutting him out with Tulla Prois, and that
in the basest manner, which Smith had never forgiven him.
But he should pay for it--Smith would see to that!
When Abrahamsen had set forth the position in detail, Smith pressed
his hand, and swore to aid him by all means in his power. Here at
last was a chance of getting even with his rival.
That same evening Smith went round for a chat with Old Nick, as he
often did. On reaching the house, however, the housekeeper informed
him that Nickelsen was engaged in the office--Skipper Braaten was in
there with him.
Smith pricked up his ears at this, and at once concluded that the
consultation must have something to do with the matrimonial plans
afoot in the skipper's household.
He waited, therefore, and a little while later Nickelsen entered,
looking very thoughtful. His air, however, changed to one of cautious
reserve when Smith greeted him with:
"Well, have you been through the Code of Matrimonial Law with Soren
Braaten?"
"What makes you think so?" said Nickelsen.
"My dear old Nick, don't try that on with me. I've just heard about
it from my particular friend Abrahamsen. And I don't mind telling you
I'm out to put the brave Lieutenant's nose out of joint if I can."
"H'm--well, it's right enough. And as for the Lieutenant, why,
'twould be easy enough. But Cilia's a different matter, now she's got
her head puffed up with all this 'fashionable' nonsense. Old Soren
has fairly got his blood up this time though; he wanted her declared
unfit to act, and a legal guardian appointed--what do you say to
that?"
"Look here, Nickelsen, what if you and I put our heads together and
fixed it up ourselves for Malvina and Abrahamsen?"
"Good Lord above us, what are you thinking of? Do you want me to play
_postillon d'amour_ for all the loving couples in the town?"
"Well, it's a noble mission, you know, really. Just think how Tulla
and I look up to you with--er--with affection and esteem--since that
banquet affair."
"You can think yourself lucky it went off as well as it did," said
Old Nick.
"Oh--this'll come off all right too, you'll see. Come along, let's
set to work and draw up a plan of campaign. We're getting quite old
hands at the game."
Old Nick was not without some scruples, but after further pressure he
at last consented to give his support as far as he could.
As a result of mature deliberation the following scheme was drawn up,
to be submitted to Soren Braaten and Abrahamsen for consideration:
1. Soren to arrange that Thor Smith and Abrahamsen be among the
guests invited to the party.
2. Soren to say a few words of welcome to the guests at table,
whereupon Lawyer Nickelsen would make a "flowing and eloquent" speech
proposing the host and hostess.
3. Immediately after this the grand scene, wherein Soren Braaten,
rising again, delivers a speech, prepared beforehand by Nickelsen and
Smith, announcing Malvina's engagement to Abrahamsen.
This surprise attack, the conspirators reckoned, could not fail to
throw the enemy's forces into confusion.
Both, however, knowing Cilia's temper, her energy and force of
character, were agreed that the plan had its weak points. She might,
for instance, prefer to make a scene rather than surrender
unconditionally. Nevertheless, both Smith and Old Nick thought she
would probably give way; and having regard to the sound strategic
principle that a purely defensive position is generally untenable,
they thought best to urge the Triple Alliance to take the offensive
at the earliest opportunity.
No sooner said than done. Soren and Abrahamsen were sent for, and
lost no time in making their appearance; both had a feeling that
great events were in the air.
Meantime, the enemy was not inactive. The Lieutenant, certain of
victory, now that he had secured so powerful an ally as Cilia, had
already confided his intentions to his father. The magistrate, in his
own mind, could not help thinking that a daughter of his former
parlourmaid was hardly a match for his son, but on the other hand it
might make a man of him. And the Braatens were said to be quite
wealthy people. Malvina was the only child, so that from that point
of view, no objection could be raised. Finally, he declared himself
willing to give his consent, but, learning that the engagement was to
be formally announced at dinner on the following day, he became
serious, and went down quietly to his office to prepare a speech
suited to the occasion. His consent to the marriage was one thing,
but he was resolved that it should not lead to overmuch intimacy
between the two families. And this he was anxious to point out, with
all possible delicacy, of course, but definitely enough to permit of
no misunderstanding.
The party assembled at Old Nick's, including Thor Smith, Abrahamsen
and Soren Braaten, were unanimous in declaring the proposed scheme
admirable. The only hesitation was on the part of Soren, who, being
himself cast for the leading part, naturally felt the risk. The
others, however, insisted that no one else could do it, and he
therefore agreed to sacrifice himself in a forlorn hope for the
general good.
On being handed the speech, carefully written out by Old Nick
himself, Soren scratched his head and looked thoroughly miserable. He
had never made a speech in his life, and had no sort of confidence in
his declamatory powers. There was no help for it, however, and with a
sigh he thrust the paper into his waistcoat pocket.
Before leaving he was instructed to make known the details of the
plan to Malvina, and charge her to be as amiable as possible to
Heidt, in order to avoid any suspicion in the minds of the others as
to the conspiracy afoot.
On reaching home, he sought out Malvina and explained the situation,
whereafter the two in concert managed to get Cilia to invite Thor
Smith and Abrahamsen at the eleventh hour; Cilia herself, as far as
could be seen, had no suspicion of any covert motive underlying the
request.
Nearly all that night Soren sat up in his bedroom brooding over the
speech. "Gentlemen and--er--h'm--I should say ladies and
gentlemen--er--I rise to this--I rise on this occasion..." etc.
Soren toiled at the speech, sweating properly, and cursing at
intervals, till nearly morning. And when at last he fell asleep, it
was only to dream that Old Nick stood over him, tweaking his nose
with the fire-tongs, while he strove in vain to get beyond the
opening sentence of his oration.
He awoke, however, in excellent spirits, and ceased to worry about
the speech at all, arguing to himself that it would come off all
right once he got going. He ran up the flag with his own hands, and
meeting Cilia in the kitchen as he came in, he chucked her under the
chin with a cheerful: "Well, old lady, feeling fit?" Whereat Cilia
was considerably taken aback, being all unused to such attentions.
There was great excitement in the town as to how the much-talked-of
party would go off, and, long before the appointed hour, the garden
fence was lined outside by the youth of the neighbourhood, awaiting
the arrival of the guests.
"There's Holm Berg, boys, stovepipe and all--and here's the
Lieutenant with his pig-sticker--and look at Old Nick in his white
gloves, and walking like he was on stilts--hurraa--a--a!"
The house was brilliantly illuminated and looked very festive indeed;
so overwhelming was the display that most of the natives stole away
into odd corners where they could see as much as possible without
being seen. Lt. Heidt was thoroughly at home, and helped to look
after the guests, though this, indeed, was superfluous, Soren himself
exhibiting so much sangfroid and confidence of manner that he might
have been on board his own vessel and in sole command. He shook
hands with each as they arrived, and bade them welcome with smiling
self-possession. Cilia hardly knew him in this new guise as master of
the house, and a shiver of excitement thrilled her as she thought of
the developments in store. She had, indeed, sufficient reason for
anxiety, inasmuch as she had had a serious talk with Malvina just
before the guests arrived, endeavouring to extract from her a promise
to give a favourable answer to Lt. Heidt. But there was no getting
anything definite out of Malvina; she demanded time to think it over.
The first slight stiffness among the guests soon disappeared, and, by
the time dinner was served, most of them felt quite sufficiently at
home to do full justice to an excellent repast.
There were to be no speeches until dessert, and now the fateful
moment was near.
Malvina was in a corner with Lt. Heidt, the latter so tender and
smiling that old Mrs. Berg nudged the parson's wife and whispered,
"Look, I'm sure he's proposing now!" The lady addressed, however, was
somewhat deaf, and looked up with an inquiring "Eh?" Mrs. Berg did
not venture to repeat the observation out loud, and substituted a
remark about "the jelly delicious, don't you think?"
Malvina turned pale and red alternately with emotion; there was no
getting out of the corner, for Heidt barred the way. Now and again
she cast a despairing glance at the Cupid, as if asking aid; but no,
the figure only stared back with a silly smile--ridiculous creature!
Abrahamsen, in the passage adjoining, was watching the pair with
ill-repressed impatience. The sight of the young lieutenant bending
close and whispering confidentially to Malvina made him tingle, and
he clenched his fists. Abrahamsen was an ill man to jest with, and,
as Soren was wont to say, he had a pair of fists as heavy as the
flippers of a full-grown seal.
Coolest of all the conspirators was Old Nick, who walked about,
smiling and content, enjoying his own observation of the entire
menagerie, as he called it. Towards Cilia he was deference itself,
and won her heart completely by addressing her as "Mrs. Braathen."
At last Soren tapped his glass; all eyes were at once turned towards
him. He started off simply and easily; he had just one thing to say
and that was, he thanked them all for their presence there this
evening, and was very glad to see them under his humble roof. Your
health! Cilia was quite proud of her husband for once, and not a
little surprised; it was not a bit like Soren. Where on earth had he
picked it up? She herself had previously asked Lt. Heidt, as a friend
of the family, to say a few words of welcome, but Soren had managed
it excellently already. Well, so much the better; it would show Lt.
Heidt that even he was not indispensable.
Old Nick then rose, and proposed "our host and hostess" in a speech
so fluent and cordial that even the parson's wife, who had scarcely
heard a word of it, declared it was "perfectly charming."
All drank with Cilia, who curtsyed and nodded and smiled, and nodded
again, until her head almost fell off; never in her dreams had she
imagined such an exalted moment.
The regulation speeches were now over, and nothing more was expected
beyond a few words from the parson, when, to Cilia's astonishment
and the surprise of the guests, Soren again stepped forward and
raised his glass.
Cilia's first thought was that her husband had taken a drop too much,
but his calm, easy manner disposed of that idea in a moment. She
wondered what on earth was going to happen, and for the first time in
her life the foundations of her despotic power seemed shaken.
There was a tense silence among the guests; what could he have to
say? Old Nick stood beside him, chatting easily with Malvina as if
nothing were amiss. Thor Smith was out in the passage with
Abrahamsen. Justice Heidt, who had been waiting all the evening for
the "declaration," drew a little nearer, in the belief that it was
coming.
Soren drank off his own glass of sherry, and having reinforced it
with Old Nick's and the parson's, which stood nearest on the table,
he gave vent to a long sigh, or grunt, and commenced as follows:
"Ladies and Gentlemen: as mentioned, there's a thing we call a union,
which means, well--a sort of union, you know" (loud applause from
some of the younger men, who thought Soren was referring to the Union
of Norway and Sweden), "and you can't have any sort of union
without--h'm--respect and--h'm--affection on both sides." (Here the
speaker directed a lowering glance at Lt. Heidt, who was moving
towards the table.)
"There was a whole lot more I was supposed to say about this, but
I've forgotten the rest. And, anyhow, it's a bit of a large order to
expect an old skipper like me to rattle out all that stuff about
garlands of roses and bonds of something--or--other." Old Nick gave
a despairing glance at Thor Smith, who shook his head sadly. "Well,
anyhow, it's as well to take the bull by the horns, so here you are.
Abrahamsen, you've had charge of the old _Birkebeineren_ two voyages
this year, and I hereby make no bones about giving you my girl
Malvina, to sail her without deviation or any delay, as the apple of
my heart, across the ocean of life, with all due care and seamanship,
as set forth in the bills of lading. And seeing as that same ocean's
given to foul weather and suchlike perils, dangers and accidents of
the sea or other waters, you'll need to keep a sharp look-out and
navigate according. And, well, the Lord be with you. Amen."
Cilia, who was nervous and unsettled enough beforehand, now lost her
head completely, and as the guests crowded round to offer their
congratulations, she sank into a chair holding a handkerchief to her
eyes. And when Malvina came up to embrace her, she broke down
completely.
Lt. Heidt turned sharply about in military fashion, and strode
magnificently out into the hall. On the way he encountered Old Nick,
who was rude enough to smile at him, and say, "Rather neat that,
don't you think?"
Justice Heidt retired quietly, inwardly congratulating himself with
the thought that it was just as well he had escaped closer connection
with so plebeian a family!
When the guests had left, Soren sat down beside his wife and took her
hand, endeavouring to comfort her as well as he could. Cilia still
wept, however; as if all the tears she might have shed in her life,
but never had, were bursting forth at once. So copious indeed was the
flow, that Soren privately reckoned out it would have sufficed to
water half the carrot patch at least.
It was with strange thoughts that Cilia retired to rest. She was
beginning to realise that she had been dethroned; her power
within-doors and abroad was gone for ever; she had made a fool of
herself with a vengeance. It was a bitter thing to feel. She went
over in her mind the events of the summer: Soren's journey to
Sandefjord, her own expedition to Christiania with Lt. Heidt, the
party, and the new furniture--how could she ever have been so
foolish, so insane!
Towards morning she grew calmer; she had decided what to do, and was
herself again.
She rose before the others were stirring, and lit a big fire in the
kitchen. Her sharp features showed firm and decided as she stood
before the stove, stiffly upright, one hand fiercely clenching a
crumpled roll of something white. This she presently threw into the
flames with a deep sigh--but a sigh of relief, as if in casting off a
burden. It was her dainty indoor cap, with the auriculas, that was
sacrificed; the thing hissed and spluttered, vanishing at last in
sooty fragments up the chimney.
When Soren and Malvina came down, they found her on all fours in the
parlour, hard at work packing up carpets and curtains, knick-knacks
and chandeliers. They stood watching her for a while, but Cilia
sharply ordered them to help--and willingly they did! Not a word was
exchanged between the three; they simply went on packing and packing,
closing up the cases and packing more, till they were ready to be
carried out into the yard.
In the course of the morning Abrahamsen turned up, and lent a hand
with the packing-cases. It was almost as if it were a question of
getting some evil influence out of the house as quickly as possible.
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 god, 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 glass 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 shipowning 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 astonishing 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.
Passing by Cilia's well-kept garden in the spring, one might see a
number of wine-glasses, 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."