"Look here, Nickelsen, what if you and I put our heads together and fixed it up ourselves for Malvina and Abrahamsen?"
"Good Lord above us, what are you thinking of? Do you want me to play postillon d'amour for all the loving couples in the town?"
"Well, it's a noble mission, you know, really. Just think how Tulla and I look up to you with—er—with affection and esteem—since that banquet affair."
"You can think yourself lucky it went off as well as it did," said Old Nick.
"Oh—this'll come off all right too, you'll see. Come along, let's set to work and draw up a plan of campaign. We're getting quite old hands at the game."
Old Nick was not without some scruples, but after further pressure he at last consented to give his support as far as he could.
As a result of mature deliberation the following scheme was drawn up, to be submitted to Soren Braaten and Abrahamsen for consideration:
1. Soren to arrange that Thor Smith and Abrahamsen be among the guests invited to the party.
2. Soren to say a few words of welcome to the guests at table, whereupon Lawyer Nickelsen would make a "flowing and eloquent" speech proposing the host and hostess.
3. Immediately after this the grand scene, wherein Soren Braaten, rising again, delivers a speech, prepared beforehand by Nickelsen and Smith, announcing Malvina's engagement to Abrahamsen.