Garman and Worse

siness going by means of unlimited credit, but up to the very last he managed to keep one of the gayest houses in the town. Nothing was left but a mass of bills and liabilities

ith her son Jacob, who was a boy of about seven or eight, when a little wizened, grey-haired man came into the room, who, after respectfully wishing Mrs. Worse good evening, laid on the table some account-books and papers. The old man was well known to Mrs. Worse: it was Mr. Peter Samuelsen, commonly known as Pitter Nilken, the manager of the small shop in the back premises. Worse's property had consisted of an entire building, of which the front looked out towards the sea and the quay where the steamer

clear to her, after hearing Mr. Samuelsen's figures and calculations, that the shop was not at all to be

d creditors during the last few days were so complicated, and couched in terms beyond her understanding; but with Peter Samuelsen it was quite otherwise. He never went on

e the very noses of those whom her husband had swindled! The general feeling towards her had hitherto been favourable, and several people could not help feeling a mischievous delight at the idea of seeing the haughty Mrs. Worse live on a monthly allo

Garman had never got on well together. It was thus no light matter for the widow to betake herself to Consul Garman; but Mr. Samuelsen

e table, he turned over in his mind how much he should subscribe. But when Mrs. Worse began to give an explanation of her affairs, according to the calculations of Pitter Nilken, the Consul's manner changed, and he got up, walked r

ou with all this, M

she answered, s

muelsen?" repe

er Nilken. Perhaps you kno

op. H'm! Does Mr. Samuelsen wish

o remain in his present position, and g

cept when he was sitting in his usual place. But as soon as he had seated himself in the old wooden armchair, he wrote in a large and

save the whole of the valuable premises. The front of the house was let, and the old lady moved over to the back, where she took turns in the shop with Mr. Samuelsen. She was at her post from early in the

that she, a lady, had not more self-respect than to sink down into the position of a common shop-woman. The lower orders, on the other hand, had quite a fellow-feeling for Mrs.

d calculations in to Mrs. Worse, and since that time he had, with the greatest honesty, helped her to overcome her many difficulties. Mr. Samuelsen had also his own private enemies to contend against, and these consisted of nearly all the school children in the town. It had always been, and was still, a favourite amusement for the chil

Pitter

on his

ys growin

er he si

creaming and shouting along the narrow lane, for there was an old tradition that the iron ruler had a rusty stain of blood on it. Samuelsen would then retire quietly to his

from school bruised and untidy after a fight. The boy had almost too much spirit, as the principal said, and when he was roused he did not mind tackling the biggest and strongest boys in the school. But he

on commission and partly on his own account. He did a good deal of trade, particularly in corn, which had hitherto been almost entirely in the

ime to become dangerous, but Consul Garman would not hear of it. He seemed to have an extraordinary liking for Worse,

you suppose that Samuelsen and I care to have you sitting and laughing at us when we are playing draughts; and besi

tions of yours; you know perfectly

arn-door owl, when it is anything to do with women. You ought to see it must all come right some day. I dare say Miss Rachel is a lit

w plainly it was of no use to contradict her. It was of no use either to advise he

amuelsen would dry up to nothing in about a for

any longer: you have earned some rest for your old da

h a gesture of impatience, "my legs ar

e and carriage? You have

ered his mother; "I hope to take another some day

amuelsen remained in the back premises they were so fo

eat edification; but when she got him into her own apartments, her behaviour entirel

came into Jacob Worse's office

have bought a horse?" a

Worse. "What

ancy me on a horse with a long mane and tail, like the picture of General Prim; there!" and he went cantering round the room, and

id not think much of the frivolous way Delph

to ride up to Sands

I should look absurd. But I thought of riding out there this evening, somewhere about seven o'clock. Just fancy me coming in

that Miss Madeleine will not fully appreciate your novel wa

should you, when your ideal is a woman who goes in for her rights? a tall bony

ur most disagreeable vein. You had better go off to you

Delphin, as he took his hat; "and at the same time I wi

with me?" cried

othing else than to have the pleasure of seeing her worth

the town with whom he could associate. Delphin was intelligent, well read on different subjects, and when alone was good company

y purchases. She did not care to look out of the window, but sat leaning back in her most comfortable armchair, yawning in front of the glass. Would it be better to send for Madeleine? it was several days since she ha

ned leaning back in her armchair, and gave him her left hand, which was the nearest, as sh

sure," answered he, as he sat d

things come into one's head

nto your thoughts," answered Delphin, jestingly. "But it i

s I have my own

to ask what the

t of her shoe, which projected from her dress as she lay back in her chair. She had tiny poi

very thankful, and at the

following the train of her own thoughts, "that I feel i

it is absolutely ne

t with gentlemen who are--well, who are so clever as, for instance, yourse

said he, laughing; "and besides, you can n

like all the rest. You would never hesitate to take advantage of

honest answer, I must confess that when I see a strawber

men have, and which I find, at the same

an, strawberries are

y are ripe," a

rsation of this kind, but the discovery he had made, or thought that he had made, with all its uncertainty, and the feeling of pleased vanity it brought with it, confused him, and he stood stammering and blushing before her. She still lay stretched in the armchair, a positio

ermon. We all have to attend to our own affairs; and if you will excuse me, I have to go and

er head in at the door, still smiling, and cried, "You will drive over with me to

flying salute over the garden wall, for there was no one to be seen either at the window or in front of the

uit. There are many respectable prizes in a lottery without aiming at the first. But now here was the chance of winning the great prize, the charming Fanny, the admiration

she got up and went out hurriedly as he entered. As they drove home that evening scarcely a word passed between them. Fanny kept gazing the whole time over the fjord, of which they caught glimpses from time to time through the trees of t

frequently than before; but she did not meet him during her walks, a fact which she related to Fanny. Fanny said with a smile that

world; but a short time afterwards she met Mr. Delphin, and during the pleas

h, was very often the case, a smile of satisfaction would pass over her features. Without Madeleine having a suspicion, the r?l