Thereafter he lighted a cigarette and placed himself at the window to see how the shot would strike. On the porch stood the old lady shaking a mat, when the man stopped to deliver the letter. She received it with some astonishment, which increased, when she with her left hand squeezed the envelope to feel what it contained. Thereupon she turned round and went into the cottage.
A moment thereafter Miss Mary's figure was seen to move to and fro behind the lace curtains in the dining room. She seemed to walk vehemently backwards and forwards, sometimes stopping and gesticulating with her arms, as though she would defend herself against reproaches, which were thrown at her.
This lasted about an hour, after which she was seen out on the porch, throwing a revengeful glance up towards the commissioner's window. After which she beckoned to the assistant, who was coming from the harbor.
When they had both gone into the cottage and been invisible for half an hour, they appeared again and went into the woodshed, from whence they brought out a trunk and a knapsack.
So, they had considered it, and found that to tarry on the skerry longer was impossible.
After a moment the assistant again appeared, this time carrying with him his own trunk, which the commissioner recognized by its trimmings of brass.
Thus he also intended to go.
Soon the owners of the cottage appeared with servants, and the whole house seemed to be turned upside down.
Towards noon, after the commissioner had passed away the time with reading, he saw the assistant and Miss Mary step out onto the porch, and engage in a lively conversation, which became more so and was followed by gestures, indicating a controversy.
"They must know each other pretty well, as they are quarreling already," thought the commissioner.