But in the evening, when I had finished supper and was crossing the
courtyard to the men's room, Fruen called me. She was standing between the
kitchen windows, in the shadow, but slipped forward now.

"My husband said ... he ... said ... you can't be warm enough in these
thin clothes," she said. "And would you ... here, take these."

She bundled a whole suit into my arms.

I thanked her, stammering foolishly. I was going to get myself some new
things soon. There was no hurry; I didn't need....

"Of course, I know you can get things yourself. But when your friend is
so ... so ... oh, take these."

And she ran away indoors again, the very fashion of a young girl fearing
to be caught doing something over-kind. I had to call my last thanks after
her.

When the Captain came out next evening with my wheels and rollers, I took
the opportunity of thanking him for the clothes.

"Oh--er--yes," he answered. "It was my wife that.... Do they fit you all
right?"

"Yes; many thanks."

"That's all right, then. Yes; it was my wife that ... well, here are the
things for your machine, and the tools. Good-night."