The company wanders toward the university. The conversation is about literature and politics, and, although nobody contradicts them, they are loud and eager: Was Norway a sovereign state or not? Was Norway perhaps not entitled to the rights and privileges of a sovereign state? Just wait a moment, the Speaker had promised to attend to things; besides, there were the elections.... All were agreed, the elections would decide. Three of the gentlemen part from the group when the university is reached; the remaining two take another turn down the street, stop outside the Grand, and exchange opinions. It is Milde and Ojen. Milde is highly indignant. "I repeat: If Parliament yields this time, it is me for Australia. In that case it will be unbearable here." Ojen is young and nervous; his little, round, girlish face is pale and void of expression; he squints as if he were near-sighted, although his eyes are good, and his voice is soft and babyish. "I am unable to understand that all this can interest you so greatly. It is all one to me." And Ojen shrugs his shoulders; he is tired of politics. His shoulders slope effeminately. "Oh well, I won't detain you," says Milde. "By the way, have you written anything lately?" "A couple of prose poems," replies Ojen, brightening at once. "I am waiting to get off to Torahus so I can start in in earnest. You are right --this town is unbearable!" "Well--I had the whole country in mind, though--Say, don't forget next Thursday evening in my studio. By the way, old fellow, have you got a crown or so you could spare?" Ojen unbuttons his coat and finds the crown. "Thanks, old man. Thursday evening, then. Come early so that you can help me a little with the arrangements--Good Lord, silk lining! And I who asked you for a miserable crown! I hope I did not offend you." Ojen smiles and pooh-poohs the joke. "As if one sees anything nowadays but silk-lined clothes!" "By Jove! What do they soak you for a coat like that?" And Milde feels the goods appraisingly. "Oh, I don't remember; I never can remember figures; that is out of my line. I put all my tailor bills away; I come across them whenever I move." "Ha, ha, ha! that is certainly a rational system, most practical. For I do not suppose you ever pay them!" "In God's own time, as the Bible says--Of course, if I ever get rich, then--But I want you to go now. I must be alone." "All right, good night. But listen, seriously speaking: if you have another crown to spare--" And once more Ojen unbuttons his coat. "A thousand thanks! Oh, you poets, you poets! Where, for instance, may you be going now?" "I think I'll walk here awhile, and look at houses. I can't sleep, so I count the windows; it is not such a bad occupation at times. I take an exquisite pleasure in satiating my vision with squares and rectangles, with pure lines. Of course, you cannot understand such things."