“But the person who has suffered most during this time, dear friends, is Norby; and I’ve come to propose that we make him some reparation in one form or another.”
Heggen rose, and left the table in order to fill himself a pipe, which he slowly lighted, and then returned to the table and seated himself. Out of doors the sun was beginning to set, and sent golden beams in to them through the tree-tops in the garden.
“Well, what did you think of doing?” Heggen finally asked, while he endeavoured to make his pipe draw.
Fru Thora coloured a little. She had expected that she would meet with opposition here, so she had come here first. She braced herself, and continued courageously:
“Well, we see what our great politicians, for instance, do when one of their number has been exposed to unjust attacks. They give him a banquet. And I think we might give a little festive entertainment for Norby; it might be as simple as possible.”
Heggen and his wife looked at one another.
“Ye-es,” said he; but with a slightly embarrassed smile.
There was a short pause, which Fru Thora dared not allow to become too long.
“With reference to the heart of the matter,” she said, “you, too, believe, do you not, that Norby was altogether in the right?”