“I can’t do that.”
“What the de—— And why not, may I ask?”
“Well, because you gave me a holiday to-day.”
“Yes; but, confound it, man, when I now tell you you can take another day instead!”
“No, I can’t do that.”
“But why not, man? Is there anything pressing you want to do?”
“No, but I have been given a holiday to-day.” It looked as if Gustav were grinning slyly, but it was only that he was turning the quid in his mouth. The bailiff stamped with anger.
“But I can go altogether if you don’t care to see me,” said Gustav gently.
The bailiff did not hear, but turned quickly. Experience had taught him to be deaf to that kind of offer in the busy season. He looked up at his window as if he had suddenly thought of something, and sprang up the stairs. They could manage him when they touched upon that theme, but his turn came in the winter, and then they had to keep silence and put up with things, so as to keep a roof over their heads during the slack time.
Gustav went on strutting about with his bundle, without putting his hand to anything. The others laughed at him encouragingly.