“Any kind of outdoor work,” said Falkenberg. “We can take on hedging and ditching, bricklayer's work....”
“Getting late in the year for that sort,” put in one of the men by the flagstaff.
“Yes, I suppose it is,” Fruen agreed. “I don't know.... Anyhow, it's just dinner-time; if you'd like to go in and get something to eat meanwhile. Such as it is.”
“Thank you kindly,” answered Falkenberg.
Now, that seemed to my mind a poor and vulgar way to speak; I felt he shamed us both in answering so, and it distressed me. So I must put in a word myself.
“Mille grâces, Madame; vous êtes trop aimable,” I said gallantly, and took off my cap.
Fruen turned round and stared at me in astonishment; the look on her face was comical to see.
We were shown into the kitchen and given an excellent meal. Fruen went indoors. When we had finished, and were starting off, she came out again; Falkenberg had got back his courage now, and, taking advantage of her kindness offered to tune the piano.
“Can you tune pianos too?” she asked, in surprise.
“Yes, indeed; I tuned the one on the farm down below.”