Andrine held her apron to her eyes, weeping "buckets and hosepipes" as Bramsen later put it to Holm.
Bramsen and Amanda were alarmed at the way she took it, and endeavoured to console her as best they could. Neither said a word as yet about Amanda's engagement; it was plain that to mention it now would bring on a seizure at least.
"Oh—oh—oh, how could I be such a fool!" sobbed Andrine.
"Well, now, to tell the truth, Andrine, I'd never have thought it of you myself, to take up with the like of that nonsense. But seeing we've got you back again now, safe and sound, why, best say no more about it."
"What—whatever did you want to go buying ships for, Bramsen?"
"Why, you see, it was mostly because of Carljohan...." Bramsen in his eagerness had said too much, and Amanda judged it best to disappear into the kitchen for a while.
"Carljohan who?" Andrine stopped crying and looked up sharply.
"Why, Johnsen's son."
"What's he got to do with it?"
"Why, he's a deal to do with it, now he and Amanda's fixed things up together."