Pettersen.
No, he’s only an outside hand that does odd jobs of copying. But he’s been a tip-topper in his day, has old Ekdal.
Jensen.
You can see he’s been through a lot.
Pettersen.
Yes; he was an army officer, you know.
Jensen.
You don’t say so?
Pettersen.
No mistake about it. But then he went into the timber trade or something of the sort. They say he once played Mr. Werle a very nasty trick. They were partners in the Höidal works at the time. Oh, I know old Ekdal well, I do. Many a nip of bitters and bottle of ale we two have drunk at Madam Eriksen’s.