XV
As it happened, there was a chance for us to make ourselves useful the moment we came on the place. They were getting up a new flagstaff, and were short of hands. We set to work and got it up in fine style. There was a crowd of women looking on from the window.
Was Captain Falkenberg at home?
No.
Or Fruen?
Fruen came out. She was tall and fair, and friendly as a young foal; and she answered our greeting in the kindliest way.
Had she any work for us now?
“Well, I don't know. I don't think so really, not while my husband's away.”
I had an idea she found it hard to say no, and touched my cap and was turning away, not to trouble her any more. But she must have found something strange about Falkenberg, coming up like that wearing decent clothes, and with a man to carry his things; she looked at him inquisitively and asked:
“What sort of work?”