"Trust me for that, lad," said Nils Petter. "I haven't forgotten how you helped me out when I was near being sold up; I owe you something for that. Being thankless towards friends that lent a hand when times were hard is a bad mark in the register and the sign of an unseaworthy character, and it shan't be said of Nils Petter Jorgensen." And he gripped Rordam's hand emphatically.
"Well, now, what do you say to a drink?"
"Not for me, thanks," answered Rordam. "I've—I've given it up," he added, not without some reluctance.
"Don't mind if I have one?"
"No, indeed."
"Jantje, give me a drop of Hollands. It's a plaguy business thinking out how to invest big sums of money."
Rordam had never had any experience of that sort of business, but thought he would not mind a little trouble, given the occasion.
Nils Petter drank off his glass. Rordam stuck to his refusal bravely, which so won Nils Petter's admiration that he bought of the watchmaker a splendid clock, costing five pounds, an elegant piece of work with a marble face and gilt lions above. Furthermore, on leaving, Rordam was given a piece of paper with the following words:
"Mr. Watchmaker Rordam to receive £50—fifty pounds—when I get the legacy.
"N. P. Jorgensen."