Treacherous Ground

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt: ...said Fru Evje, making a movement to go. "Oh dear, no!" exclaimed the engineer, turning to her. "I hope Evje and I can have a chat in the office." "Is it as serious as that?" asked Erik. ' But how is your wife? Is she tired after her journey?" "Oh, thank you," Rein replied, a little confused, for Erik's ... Read More

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt: ...said Fru Evje, making a movement to go. "Oh dear, no!" exclaimed the engineer, turning to her. "I hope Evje and I can have a chat in the office." "Is it as serious as that?" asked Erik. ' But how is your wife? Is she tired after her journey?" "Oh, thank you," Rein replied, a little confused, for Erik's friendliness seemed almost inopportune. "Can we go into the office, then?" "Why, certainly!" replied Erik, laughing, as he led the way. They entered a large room with leather sofas and chairs and a writing-table in the middle of the floor. The high windows, like those in the sitting-rooms, were almost hidden by plants in pots. Erik motioned his companion to an arm-chair, and seated himself, at the table, facing him. "Well?" he said, with an expectant smile. Rein crossed one of his long legs over the other, and taking off his glasses began to play with them. ' Well," he said; "the fact is, this is an unpleasant errand for me, my dear Evje." "Then perhaps we'd better help ourselves to a cigar," Erik suggested, handing him a box; but Rein declined. His forehead wrinkled nervously, and he kept on fingering his glasses. "What nails that man is furnished with, to be sure!" thought Erik, remembering at the same moment that Mogstad also had just such nails. "I've been very reluctant to come on this errand," Rein went on, with his eyes on his glasses. "But on the other hand you will be just the person to understand that I feel it my duty to speak before it's too late." "Speak away, then!" said Erik impatiently. "Your idea about the labourers' holdings is admirable and good, and therefore it's a very great... Read Less