Then one evening Falkenberg gave us a song. And I was proud of him as ever. Fruen came out, and he had to sing it over again, and another one after; his fine voice filled the room, and Fruen was delighted, and said she had never heard anything like it. And then it was I began to be envious. “Have you learnt singing?” asked Fruen. “Can you read music at all?” “Yes, indeed,” said Falkenberg. “I used to sing in a club.” Now that was where he should have said: no, worse luck, he'd never learned, so I thought to myself. “Have you ever sung to any one? Has any one ever heard you?” “I've sung at dances and parties now and again. And once at a wedding.” “But I mean for any one that knew: has any one tried your voice?” “No, not that I know of--or yes, I think so, yes.” “Well, won't you sing some more now? Do.” And Falkenberg sang. The end of it'll be he'll be asked right into the parlour one evening, I thought to myself, with Fruen--to play for him. I said: “Beg pardon, but won't the Captain be coming home soon?” “Yes, soon,” answered Fruen. “Why do you ask?' “I was only thinking about the work.” “Have you felled all the trees that were marked?” “No, not yet--no, not by a long way. But....” “Oh....” said Fruen suddenly, as if she had just thought of something. “You must have some money. Yes, of course....” I grasped at that to save myself, and answered: “Thank you very much.” Falkenberg said nothing. “Well, you've only to ask, you know. _Varsaagod_” and she handed me the money I had asked for. “And what about you?” “Nothing, thank you all the same,” answered Falkenberg. Heavens, how I had lost again--fallen to earth again! And Falkenberg, that shameless imposter, who sat there playing the man of property who didn't need anything in advance. I would tear my clothes off him that very night, and leave him naked. Only, of course, I did nothing of the sort. XVII And two days went by. “If she comes out again this evening,” Falkenberg would say up in the woods, “I'll sing that one about the poppy. I'd forgotten that.” “You've forgotten Emma, too, haven't you?” I ask. “Emma? Look here, I'll tell you what it is: you're just the same as ever, that's what you are.” “Ho, am I?” “Yes; inside, I mean. You wouldn't mind taking Emma right there, with Fruen looking on. But I couldn't do that.” “That's a lie!” I answered angrily. “You won't see me tangled up in any foolery with the girls as long as I am here.” “Ah, and I shan't be out at nights with any one after. Think she'll come this evening? I'd forgotten that one about the poppy till now. Just listen.” Falkenberg sang the Poppy Song. “You're lucky, being able to sing like that,” I said. “But there's neither of us'll get her, for all that.” “Get her! Why, whoever thought.... What a fool you are!” “Ah, if I were young and rich and handsome, I'd win her all the same,” I said. “If--and if.... So could I, for the matter of that. But there's the Captain.”