"And what's that?"
"Your daughter——"
"Hey? Are you off your head?"
"Your daughter," repeated Doffen. "I'd be a good husband to her, and a proper son-in-law to you."
"I'll give you son-in-law!" roared the Admiral, and, picking up the big Directory, he sent it full at Doffen's chest; the latter, taken by surprise, came tumbling down from his stool, and fell against the wood-box in the corner.
"You miserable nincompoop!" snorted the Admiral, as he rushed out of the room.
Doffen lay in the corner by the wood-box, groaning pitifully. The noise had been heard all over the house, and the Princess came rushing in to see what was the matter.
"Are you ill, Eriksen?" she asked, taking his hand.
"Oh, I think I must be dying," he said, touching his chest.
"No, no," said she. "It's not so bad as all that."