Passing by Cilia's well-kept garden in the spring, one might see a number of wine-glasses, minus the stems, but engraved with the monogram "S. & C. B.," placed protectingly over tender seedling or cuttings planted out in the round or oblong borders--"all that's left of the days when mother went wrong in the upper works," said Soren Braaten.
"Heard the news, Nickelsen?" cried Thor Smith, looking in at Nickelsen's door.
"It's true, honour bright. The Council's all head over heels already, fixing up a committee for the arrangement."
"No, really? Why, that'll be first-rate. Just wanted something to brighten things up a bit; it's been very dull lately." Old Nick rubbed his hands gleefully. "Come along, let's walk down that way a bit and see if we can get hold of somebody in the know."
"Hallo, here's Holm Berg! I say, are you on this committee?"
"No, thank goodness, I managed to get out of it. Not but that there were plenty anxious to get in!"
"Well, there's Heidt, of course, as Justice, but he was quite put out about it himself, and wished His Majesty I won't say where. You see, it means getting new uniform, for the gold braid's all worn off his old one."
"Oh, let's see; the parson, Governor Hansen, Watchmaker Rordam and Dr. Knap--oh yes, and Prois, of course, as Warden."
"Yes, and he was quite cut up about it too. Said he was too old for such tomfoolery."
It was a busy time all round for the loyal citizens of Strandvik; and the worst of it was, they had only three days to make all arrangements. The royal party would arrive on Thursday at four o'clock and dine in the town. And to-day was Monday.
The committee held meetings morning and afternoon. A band was asked for by telegram from the naval station at Horten, and a special cook from Drammen; both, fortunately, promised to come.
A triumphal arch was set up at the Custom House, and Nachmann, the German wine merchant, sent up four cart-loads of bottles to the Town Hall, where the banquet was to be held. Nachmann was in high feather, and declared loyally that a Royal House was an excellent institution and an encouragement to trade and commerce.
But what was the King to drive in? Consul Jansen had a very respectable pair-horse carriage of his own, lined with grey silk, and suitable for most "special occasions," but unfortunately one of the horses was lame, and the other a confirmed runaway. What was to be done?