"All right then, I'll go with you this evening, at once."
With that he left the room.
The Laird and a few others followed.
There was a short pause.
Suddenly the door was thrown open and the Lieutenant came in again. He was greatly excited.
"Have you forgotten something?" asked Victoria, getting up.
He danced about by the door as if unable to stand still and then went straight up to Johannes and gave him a blow with his hand as though in passing. After that he ran back to the door and danced about again.
"Look out, man, you hit me in the eye," said Johannes with a hollow laugh.
"You're mistaken," answered the Lieutenant, "I gave you a box on the ears. Understand? Understand?"
Johannes pulled out his handkerchief, dried his eye, and said: