"Yes, soon," answered Fruen. "Why do you ask?'

"I was only thinking about the work."

"Have you felled all the trees that were marked?"

"No, not yet--no, not by a long way. But...."

"Oh...." said Fruen suddenly, as if she had just thought of something.
"You must have some money. Yes, of course...."

I grasped at that to save myself, and answered:

"Thank you very much."

Falkenberg said nothing.

"Well, you've only to ask, you know. _Varsaagod_" and she handed me
the money I had asked for. "And what about you?"

"Nothing, thank you all the same," answered Falkenberg.

Heavens, how I had lost again--fallen to earth again! And Falkenberg, that
shameless imposter, who sat there playing the man of property who didn't
need anything in advance. I would tear my clothes off him that very night,
and leave him naked.

Only, of course, I did nothing of the sort.