"Yes," said Egholm to himself. "That's what I'll do. They couldn't give it against me if I went to law."
But he felt sorely in need of someone who would have faith in him, and he longed for Henrik Vang's ever-ready admiration. Might just slip up to his room....
Fru Vang kept a quiet little boarding-house for a few old bachelors who had taken the best rooms of the house. She and Vang himself occupied separate attics.
Vang was in bed, with half an inch of reddish stubble on his chin, and the hair on his forehead clammy with feverish sweat.
"Why, what's this?" cried Egholm, aghast. "Are you ill? And I'd never heard a word.... A great strong fellow like you! What's the matter?"
"Sit down a minute," said Vang faintly. "We can shift this here. Or give it to Diana ... there you are."
He set a plate down on the floor, and wiped the seat of a chair with his bare arm.
"I've worked it out," said Egholm, without preface. "The boiler must be vertical. With the first experimental boat, of course, it's more than ever important to save space. Can't make out why I didn't hit on that before."
There were half a score of other things he had "worked out." Vang listened attentively, wrinkling up his forehead and gazing ceilingwards, as if something were passing far above his head.
Egholm felt comfortable now, and in a burst of geniality exclaimed:
"Here, Vang, you'd better let me have a look at you. I'm something of a doctor--natural healer, you know. I was patching up Madam Hermansen's leg the other day. Have you seen a doctor at all? What did he say?"
"No, I haven't," said Vang, looking away.
"All the better; nothing to distract my instinctive powers. Where's the pain?"
"Oh, you know all the time," said Vang piteously, laying one hand on Egholm's arm. "Don't go teasing me now, there's a good fellow."
Egholm rose to his feet in surprise; his imagination was weaving intricate tangles in a moment.
"Is it--is it.... No, I've no idea--really, I haven't."
Vang pouted like a boy, and after a little hesitation explained that his wife had a habit now and again--more and more frequently of late--of taking away his trousers. He had been lying here now for four days, with no trousers to put on.
"Oh, don't sit there grinning just like all the rest of them!"