"Yes."
"Everything in order?"
"Except the anchor, which you would not let me finish."
"We can do without it."
"Not well."
The stranger stood for a few moments in thought; his handsome face seemed suddenly to have grown twenty years older; he stroked his beard, and I noticed that he was observing me from the corner of his eye. He then caught the smith by the arm and led him out of the door, which he closed behind him. Outside the door I heard them talking, but could make out nothing, for the stranger spoke in a subdued voice, and the smith's growling speech was at all times difficult to understand; presently, however, the dialogue grew louder, and, as it seemed, more and more vehement, especially on the part of the smith.
"I will have it so!" cried the stranger.
"And I say no!" maintained the smith.
"It is my affair."
"And my affair as well."