"Good morning!" calls Irgens.
The other looks up in surprise.
"What--you? Are you abroad so early?"
"Yes. That is to say, I haven't been to bed yet."
"Oh--that's different. I have been at my desk since five; I have cabled to
three countries already."
"Good Lord--you know I am not the least interested in your trading! There
is only one thing I want to discuss with you, Ole Henriksen; have you got
a drink of brandy?"
The two men leave the office and pass through the store down into the
cellar. Ole Henriksen pulls a cork hurriedly; his father is expected any
moment, and for this reason he is in haste. The father is old, but that is
no reason why he should be ignored.
Irgens drinks and says: "Can I take the bottle along?" And Ole Henriksen
nods.
On their way back through the store he pulls out a drawer from the
counter, and Irgens, who understands the hint, takes something from the
drawer which he puts in his mouth. It is coffee, roasted coffee; good for
the breath.
II
At two o'clock people swarm up and down the promenade. They chat and laugh
in all manner of voices, greet each other, smile, nod, turn around, shout.
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