It mattered little after all about the Captain. When Falkenberg had taken a deal of wine, I asked him if he knew where Fruen was staying in town. No, but Emma might, perhaps. We get hold of Emma, treat her to wine, talk a lot of nonsense, and work gradually round to the point; at last asking in a delicate way. No, Emma didn't know the address. But Fruen had gone to buy things for Christmas, and she was going with Frøken Elisabeth from the vicarage, so they'd know the address there. What did I want it for, by the way? Well, it was only about a filigree brooch I had got hold of, and wanted to ask if she'd care to buy it. “Let's look.” Luckily I was able to show her the brooch; it was a beautiful piece of old work; I had bought it of one of the maids at Hersæt. “Fruen wouldn't have it,” said Emma. “I wouldn't have it myself.” “Not if you got me into the bargain, Emma, what?” And I forced myself to jest again. Emma goes off. I try drawing out Falkenberg again. Falkenberg was sharp enough at times to understand people. Did he still sing for Fruen? Lord, no; that was all over. Falkenberg wished he hadn't taken service here at all; 'twas nothing but trouble and misery about the place. Trouble and misery? Weren't they friends, then, the Captain and his Lady? Oh yes, they were friends. In the same old way. Last Saturday she had been crying all day. “Funny thing it should be like that,” say I, “when they're so upright and considerate towards each other.” And I watch to see what Falkenberg says to that. “Eh, but they're ever weary,” says Falkenberg in his Valdres dialect. “And she's losing her looks too. Only in the time you've been gone, she's got all pale and thin.” I sat up in the loft for a couple of hours, keeping an eye on the main building from my window, but the Captain did not appear. Why didn't he go out? It was hopeless to wait any longer; I should have to go without making my excuses to the Captain. I could have found good grounds enough; I might have put the blame on to the first article in the paper, and said it had rather turned my head for the moment--and there was some truth in that. Well, all I had to do now was to tie up the machine in a bundle, cover it up as far as possible with my sack, and start off on my wanderings again. Emma stole some food for me before I went. It was another long journey this time; first to the vicarage--though that was but a little out of the way--and then on to the railway station. A little snow was falling, which made it rather heavy walking; and what was more, I could not take it easy now, but must get on as fast as I could. The ladies were only staying in town for their Christmas shopping, and they had a good start already. On the following afternoon I came to the vicarage. I had reckoned out it would be best to speak with Fruen. “I'm on my way into town,” I told her. “And I've this machine thing with me; if I might leave the heaviest of the woodwork here meanwhile?”