"
Ole put his hand in his pocket to pay the waiter; the Journalist did the
same, but Milde seized his arm and said:
"Leave that to Ole Henriksen. Kindly pay for us, too, Ole."
"With pleasure."
At the door Lars Paulsberg caught up with him and said:
"Don't go away without giving me the opportunity of shaking hands with
you. I hear you could lend me these rotten crowns."
Ole and Aagot went. A little later Coldevin got up, too; he bowed to each
of the clique and departed. He heard laughter behind his back and the word
"phenomenon" several times. He hurried into the first gateway he passed
and took out from his pocketbook a little silken bow, in the Norwegian
colours, carefully wrapped in paper. He kissed the bow, looked at it a
long time, and kissed it again, trembling in the grip of a silent, deep
emotion.
IV
It was Ole Henriksen's habit to make his rounds through the business
establishment immediately after his early morning coffee. He was an early
riser and had usually accomplished a great deal before breakfast,
inspected store and cellars, read and answered mail, telegraphed, given
instructions to his clerks; everything devolved upon him.
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