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."