Shallow Soil

turn around, shout. Cigar smoke and ladies' veils flutter in the air; a kaleidoscopic confusion of light gloves and handkerchiefs,

artists, a couple of authors, a business man, an undefinable-comrades all. They are dressed variously: some have already di

e; also Irgens, and Attorney Grande of the prominent Grande family. The most important, however, is Paulsberg, Lars Paulsberg, the author of h

s his ulster tig

little too chilly t

I am neighing inwardly; my blood sings a hunting chorus!" And the little

ctor sarcastically. "A man i

that rema

tent leathers and your silk hat hunting wol

t Norem has a sense of humou

ng, had perfect control over their words, mad

f cadets w

tary youths!" said Irgens. "Look at them; they do

anced quickly at Paulsberg, whose face remained immovable. Paul

ernment budget. It certainly looked dubious- rotten-They cited quotations from leading parliamentarians, they proposed to put the torch to the Castle and proclaim the republic without delay. The Artist threatened a general revolt of

the comrades were eager to hear his opinion,

sberg, you don

is studies and his literary tasks, and lacked the verbal fac

At this they all laughed loudly. "But otherwise," he added, "a

t was his wont to go

remain now. The Actor saluted and disappeared; he hurried off in order to catch up with Paulsberg.

fellow could only aff

kster," said Irgens. "I struck

," said the Attorney. "'Your communication shall be Yea, y

d you notice, he laughed when he sai

us

g continually up and down the street,

cont

had just one more head like

ay?" asked I

d at the Attorney, and bur

ks why we need another head li

" said

understand why his words failed to provoke mirth. He deci

huckster for brandy; yo

I consider him alone able to do what is nee

e was not prepared to contradi

ate matters to have a little assistance, so to spea

across Tidemand, a huckster also, a wholesaler, a big bu

d?" called the

es!" counter

Are you going to

itted to shake

s's rooms to sample the brandy, after which they were to return

t we have these peddler

. "They are use

hrug of the shoulders w

the contrary, they think they are highly favoured; it flatters them. Treat them

had stopped;

make definite arrangements about that

n about that. Certainly, Ojen was g

applied for a government subsidy and had every expectation of receiving it; Paulsberg himself had recommended him, even if a little tepidly. The comrades had therefore united in an effort to get him to Torahus, to a little mountain resort wher

d a battle-ground?" ask

have plent

to Mrs. Liberia, and Mrs. Liberia simply had to be consulted. It was agreed to invite Paulsberg and his wife

low Norem," said the Attorney. "He always gets drunk and sent

's house. It would never do to slight Norem

would be hard to find. The studio was big and roomy as a bar

s coming off

rney was going home; this decision about the studio did not suit him; he felt slighted. He m

Irgens-I hope y

not unduly eager to return to the Grand; this fat artist vexed him considerably with his fa

usly assisted him; he left as soon as he