but now I have learnt
to feel differently, as you will, too, when the time comes. You will
then understand what sinners we are."

"Sinners! Oh yes! But I am not so bad as many others, nor are you,
Jacob. I have known you, known you well, for forty years, and a
better man by land or sea is not to be found in all Norway. Now, you
know it," he said, bringing his fist down on the window-ledge.

Worse was not entirely impervious to this flattery, but he muttered,
as he shook the ashes of his pipe into the stove: "Yes, but much more
than this is required, very much more."

"Listen to me seriously, Jacob Worse. You know Sivert Jespersen, also
called Gesvint?"

"Yes, I should think I did."

"Perhaps you remember a certain two hundred barrels of salt which you
bought of him?"

"Yes. I shan't forget them in a hurry."

"Answer me one thing, just one little thing; did he, or did he not,
cheat you?"

"Horribly!" answered Worse, without hesitation.

"Now, then, answer me another thing. Which do you suppose the
Almighty likes best, an honest seaman who holds his tongue and looks
after his ship, or a hypocrite who cheats his fellow-creatures, and
then sings hymns? Hey! Which do you think He prefers?"

"Neither you nor I can say, Randulf. Judgment is of the Lord, who
searches the hearts and reins."

"Reins!" cried Randulf, scornfully. "Sivert Jespersen's reins--a
pretty thing to search. The Lord is not one to be cheated."

Jacob Worse smiled. Theology was now put aside, and they mixed a
fresh tumbler.

"But there is one thing you cannot get over, Jacob. It was a sin and
shame that you gave up the sea so early. Everybody who inquires about
you says so."

"Does any one inquire about me?"

"Inquire about you! why, they talk about you from Copenhagen to
Kronstadt. Do you remember the stout damsel at the 'Drei Norweger' in
Pillau?"

"Was that where we danced?"

"No; that was at Konigsberg. Good gracious!" said Randulf,
compassionately, "have you forgotten it already? No; the stout
individual at Pillau wept salt tears when she heard you were married.
_'Ach du lieber,'_ said she. _'Was soll now the arme Minchen machen
when the lustige Jacob Worse has gegiftet sich.'_"

"Did she really say that?" cried Worse, touched. "However, it is not
correct as you repeat it. I wonder, Thomas, you never learnt to speak
German."

"I tell you what: I can get on well enough. I soon find out when they
are trying to cheat me; then th