She stood gazing across the water, and wondering what to do. She was in a bad way now, so very different from what she had once thought; what shame, what utter futility she had wandered into! She brooded till she was worn out; then she began to listen to what people about her were saying. Two men were huddled on benches trying to shelter from the wind; she heard one of them say he was a schoolmaster, and the other that he was an artisan. The schoolmaster did not remain seated long, but got up and swaggered toward her. She passed him in silence and took his place on the bench. It was a raw autumn day, and it did her good to get out of the wind. The artisan probably thought this tall, well-dressed lady had a berth, but when she sat down, he moved over on his own bench. He was on the point of lighting his pipe, but stopped. "Go on, don't mind me," she said. So he lit it, but he was careful not to blow the smoke into her face. He was only a youngster, a little over twenty, with thick reddish hair under his cap, and whitish eyebrows high up on his forehead. His chest was broad and flat, but his back was round and his hands massive. A great horse. Then a tray was brought him, sandwiches and coffee, which he had evidently been waiting for; he paid, but went on smoking and let the food stand. "Please eat," she said. "You don't mind my sitting here?" "Not at all," he replied. He knocked out his pipe slowly, taking plenty of time over it; then sat still again. "I don't really need anything to eat yet, either," he said. "Oh--haven't you come far?" "No, only last night. Where do you come from, lady?" "From the town. I've been on holiday." "That's what I thought," he said, nodding his head. "I've been up at the Tore Peak farm," she added. "The Tore Peak? So." "Do you know it?" "No, but I know some of the people there." A pause. "Josephine's there," he resumed. "Yes. Do you know her?" "Oh, no." They talked a little more. The boat sailed on, and they sat there talking; it was all they had to do. She asked where he came from and what his trade was, and it seemed he was nothing important, only a paltry carpenter, and his mother had a small farm. Would the lady like a simple cup of coffee? "Why, yes, thank you." Could she have a little of his, "just a little in the saucer?" She poured some of the coffee into the saucer and asked for a bite of food as well. Never had food tasted so good, and when she had finished, she thanked him for that, too. "Haven't you a berth?" he asked. "Yes, but I'd rather stay here," she said. "If I go below, I'll be sick." "That's what I thought. Well, now I wonder--" With that he got up and walked slowly and heavily away. She watched his back disappearing down the companion to the lower deck.