"Oh, yes; however, I take a glass of beer...."
"Yes, here you have a preparation of china to commence with, which you are to take three times a day. When it is gone let me know."
Therewith he gave him a bottle of china bitters, after which he took the preacher's hand and said:
"You shall not hate me, Mr. Olsson, for we have great common interests, although we go different ways. If I can be of any service to you, I am ready whenever you wish it."
Such a simple manner as a little plausible good will was enough to pervert the sight of the simple man, so that he believed he had found a friend. With sincere feeling he reached out his hand and stammered:
"You have done me ill once, but God has turned it to good, and now I say thanks for everything and beg the commissioner not to forget about the provision store and the commonwealth."
"I shall not forget that!" finished the commissioner and made a gesture for him to go.
After having collected himself for a moment he went down on the hill to search for the assistant, whom he found engaged in a fencing exercise with Miss Mary, whose wrist and upper arm he took great pains to render as flexible as necessary for a nice guard position.
The commissioner after having complimented them begged to apologize for having troubled them, but he must speak with the assistant about his lodging.
"There does not exist any vacant chamber on the whole skerry except the attic room over the ladies' rooms," said he with a daring, as though he had made every effort to find another.