On the slope in front of the house, some boys, who were playing, noticed the strange noise made by the two sleepers, and collected, laughing and skylarking, under the window.
Suddenly Randulf's housekeeper fell upon them with a broom, and the boys scampered away, amidst shouts and laughter. Worse half opened his eyes for a moment, and then laid his head back again on the other side.
All was still again, until the snoring recommenced. The sound of oars, and the cries of sea-gulls out on the fjord, could be heard in the distance. The housekeeper stood sentry with the broom, and the worthy captains slept on for another half-hour.
At last, Randulf moved, lifted the handkerchief from his eyes, and yawned.
Upon this, Worse—half awake—said, with an assumption of superiority; "Well, you have slept! I began to think you would never wake up."
"Wake!" said Randulf, scornfully, "why, I could not get a wink of sleep for your snoring."
"I never snore," said Worse decisively; "besides, I have been awake all the time you were sleeping."
"Sleeping! I tell you I never slept."
"Come, I am the best judge of that, I who sat here and—
"And snored; yes, that you did, and like a hero."