“That's my dismissal,” I thought to myself. But I walked up after him with my cart and team, ready to do as he had said.
I was in no fear now about Nils; he was close up to the stables by now. The Captain beckoned to him, but without avail. Then “Halt!” he cried, military fashion; but Nils was deaf.
When we reached the stables the horses were back in their places already. The Captain was stiff and stern as ever, but I fancied he had been thinking matters over a little on the way.
“What have you brought the horses in for now?” he asked.
“Plough was working loose,” answered Nils. “I brought them in just while I'm setting it to rights again; it won't take very long.”
The Captain raps out his order:
“I want a man to drive to the station.”
Nils glances at me, and says half to himself:
“H'm! So that's it? A nice time for that sort of thing.”
“What's that you're muttering about?”