“The peasants are,” he replied. “And of course the women. Church-going and religion, that is for women; we men do not need that sort of thing.”
She was a little startled by his matter-of-fact, unabashed tone.
“What, are you an agnostic? an atheist?” she exclaimed.
“No, no, not at all,” he said composedly. “I believe in a good Providence but with so much I am quite satisfied, you see. What does one need with more? To us men religion, church-going, is—is—how do you call it in English? I think you say ‘An awful bore,’ Is it not so?”
The slang in foreign accent was irresistible. She was a little shocked, but she could not help laughing.
“How you Norwegians speak out!” she exclaimed. “Many Englishmen feel that, but few would say it so plainly.”
“So! I thought an Englishman was nothing if not candid. But for me I feel no shame. What more would one have than to make the most of life? That is my religion. I hear that in England there is a book to ask whether life is worth living? For me I can’t understand that sort of thing. It is a question that would never have occurred to me. Only to live is happiness enough. Life is such a very good thing. Do you not agree?”
“Sometimes,” she said, rather wistfully.
“Only sometimes? No, no, always—to the last breath!” cried Frithiof.
“You say that because things are as you like; because you are happy,” said Blanche.