But Mack, the man of power, was growing more and more offended; he was not accustomed to this sort of thing, and not disposed to put up with it. “You’re strangely forgetful, young man; you keep on forgetting that you’re in my power,” said he. “Do as you please. If you lock me up now, my turn will come later, that’s all.” “What--what will you do then?” “Ruin you,” said Rolandsen. Frederik came in. He saw at once that the two had been having words, and it annoyed him that his father did not settle this big-nosed ex-telegraph person out of hand. Then said Rolandsen aloud, “I will make you an offer: we can take up this invention together. Make the necessary alterations in your factory, and I’ll take over the management there. That’s my offer--and it holds good for twenty-four hours!” Whereupon Rolandsen strode out, leaving the telegrams with Mack. [Illustration] XV Autumn was setting in; the wind rushing through the woods, the sea yellow and cold, and a great awakening of stars in the sky. But Ove Rolandsen had no time now for watching meteor flights, though he’d as great a fancy as ever for such things. There had been gangs of men at work on Mack’s factory of late, pulling down here and setting up there, under orders from Rolandsen, who managed it all. He had settled all difficulties now, and was a man of mark. “I knew he would get on,” said Old Mack. “I believed in him all along.” “I did not,” said proud Elise. “The way he goes about now. It’s as if he’d been the saving of us all.” “Oh, it’s not as bad as that,” said Mack. “He says a word of greeting when he passes, but he never stops for a reply. He just walks on.” “Ah! he’s busy, that’s all.” “He’s sneaked into the family, that’s what he’s done,” said Elise, her lips a little pale. “Wherever we are, he’s sure to be there too. But if he’s any ideas in his head about me, he’s very much mistaken.” Elise went back to town. And everything went on as usual, as if one could do without her well enough. But it was this way now with Rolandsen: from the time he had entered into partnership with Mack, he had promised himself to do good work and not waste time in dreaming of other things. Dreams and fancies for the summer-time--and then best to stop. But some go dreaming all their lives; go fluttering mothwise all their lives, and never can make an end. Now here was Jomfru van Loos in Bergen. Rolandsen had had a letter from her, to say she didn’t really never at all make out as he was beneath her, seeing he hadn’t demeaned himself with burglary and thieving after all, but only doing it for monkey tricks and fun. And that she took back her words about breaking it off, if so be it wasn’t too late and couldn’t be altered.