When they returned to the mansion of Rosendal, Garth and the bailiff's wife had prepared the refreshments they had taken with them. Garth waited at table. The bailiff's wife, however, appeared disquieted, and the Pastor asked what was the matter.
"Only that the owner of Rosendal should sit at the head of the table, instead of between two boys," replied she.
"The owner of Rosendal!" exclaimed the Pastor.
"Yes. There he sits!" said the bailiff's wife, pointing at Hardy.
"How do you know I am the owner of Rosendal?" asked Hardy.
"Because the Prokuratør Steindal has written my man to say so," said the bailiff's wife, "and we have expected it all along."
"If that be the case, Herr Pastor, you might have allowed me to catch a pike for lunch," said Hardy; "for the boys did not."
"But have you bought Rosendal, Herr Hardy?" asked Frøken Helga.
"I did so when in Copenhagen," said Hardy. "Is there any reason why I should not?"
"But why have you not said a word to us?" asked Pastor Lindal.