“But down there in the cellar, believe me, there’s enough and to spare. There stand rows of sugar-loaves; hams and sausages hang there by the dozen; and sacks of coffee which can hardly be raised from the floor. But when you cut a hole in the sack and let some run out, then its only a fair load. And up in the store there’s such a hubbub that they wouldn’t hear if we yelled ‘hurrah’ down there; and the lamp stands on the top step of the cellar stairs because the boy now and then comes down to get something. There’s lots of wine too. I brought a sample with me; its too sweet for me—taste it!” He held the bottle out to Elsie.
She took a swallow, but he stopped her; they must each have a little taste of the sweet, strong liquor; but when the flask had gone around, Elsie emptied the last drop.
It rushed through her head like fire; the strong taste inflamed her appetite; she licked her lips and looked at the others and her raging hunger began to affect them. A feverish uneasiness came over them; the young fellow put his cap on to show that he was ready, and at last Svend said half to himself:
“If any one who is well acquainted, would show us the way——”
The mechanic exchanged a hasty glance with Puppelena.
“If anything’s to be done in good shape, there must be a number at it,” he said half aloud and looked all the time at Elsie.
“We’re with you,” she cried eagerly and drew Svend forward.
“Yes—there’s no parley about it; we’re all along if the mechanic will take the lead,” said the tinker then decisively, and arose.
The man of the many faces was now altogether another man. With a few direct words he gave each man his instructions. Olkonomen, Jorgen Tambur and the young fellow were only to stand guard on the streets; the same, too, he wanted Elsie to do, but Puppelena thought that Elsie’s shawl would be good to carry things under.
So it was decided that she should meet with the others at the turn farthest down the alley as soon as possible while business was yet lively up in the shop.