Garman and Worse

y-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age. He then br

he offices, having a separate entrance on the side towards the sea. On the southern side, and overlooking

with salons at the side. In one of these rooms the family generally dined on Sunday, or when they had guests, and it was t

was an endless number of spare rooms, whose windows look

r. Against the walls stood tall dark presses, and mirrors with the glass in two pieces, and having their g

servants in the passage.

ne upstairs, to my mistr

very fat lady, who lived in a continual state of strife with dyspepsia. From whatever side you lo

tle at her meals, and could not control her astonishment at the appetites of the rest of the company. Only at times, when she was alone in he

wife was sitting on the sofa, engaged

ristian Frederick?" said Rich

med to see you," answered the Consul

sometimes could be as gay and cheerful as when they were boys, and at others wou

dinner to-day, Carolin

intention of introducing the new scho

n, I'll just send the coachman with the carriage for Morten and Fanny, and ask

n a tone which showed an inclina

of parsons," answered the Consul, in a tone which brought his wife to her sens

n, as she left the room. "I cannot understand h

his brother standing in the middle of the room, with his legs far apart, and one hand behind his back. With the other

that?" aske

howed his delight at finding his brother in a m

rs. At the kitchen door they stopped, and the Consul called for the lights. A commotion w

. Julien, Rhine wine, Graves, and brandy. This was all under the charge of Miss Cordsen, who, in accordance with the régime which had come down from the old Consul's time, produced the different wines according to the number and importance of the guests. In the darkest corner o

he Consul shut the door, and said, "There now, the world will have to get on without us for a little while." The inner wine-cellar looked as if it were considerably older than the house itself, and

on the outside, there stood two old long-stemmed Dutch glasses, while in one corner there lay a large wine-cask. In front of the cask was placed an empty

bottom of the tub, and took off their co

-day?" said Christian Fre

d," suggested Richar

ut his light. "But look, there's a row of bottles lying in here

y grandmother's raspberry v

er would have hidden away rasp

ld things as some other peop

muttered the Consul. "I wish

after them, Christian F

d heavy bunch of seals. And the old gentleman crept into t

hile you ar

ve to take hold of my

d. "But won't you have a drop o

the Consul began to laugh; but before long he stammered o

of Burgundy ran down his neck. Every time any allusion was made to this mishap, a meaning smile passed between the brothers, and Richard was even so careless as sometimes to allude to it when others were present. For instance, if they were sitting at di

ain. Miss Cordsen, who had been obliged that day to get a clean shirt for the Consul, was the on

ir full of cobwebs. When they had had a good laugh over their joke--it was well the walls were so thick

e Consul, "that is

has gone off," said

" said Christian Frederick

, and said approvingly, "Madeira!" and in a moment the gol

d the young Consul, taking his usual

sh, the Consul had had it brought down to the cellar. For many a long year he had sat on this horse, drinking the old wine out of the same old glasses with his brother, who sat in the rickety armchair, which cra

ur half of that cask of port. However, I will send you some wine out to Bratv

Christian Frederick. I am sure I have

clare, I believe you

m sure I

I dare say you've remarked that

istian Frederick," broke in Uncle Richard, hastily. He

a great

is a very

ther does not know that the cask is nearly empty;" for it returned a most unpromising sound when it was

he daylight. It was strictly forbidden for any one to meet them when they came out of the cellar, and Miss Cordsen had trouble enough to keep the way clear. They presented a most

mart as usual, with his conventional diplomatic smile; the Cons