NAPOLEON CAKES 335 



again lay as I had found it in the morning, quiet and 

 peaceful. With a temperature of - 65 F., and a 

 velocity of twenty-two miles an hour, the south-wester 

 swept over the Barrier, and whirled the snow high into 

 the air above Framheim; but in their tents the dogs 

 lay, full-fed and contented, and felt nothing of the 

 storm. 



In the hut preparations for a feast were going on, and 

 now one could really appreciate a good house. The 

 change from the howling wind, the driving snow, the 

 intense cold, and the absolute darkness, was great indeed 

 when one came in. Everything was newly washed, and 

 the table was gaily decorated. Small Norwegian flags 

 were everywhere, on the table and walls. The festival 



ml 



began at six, and all the ' vikings " came merrily in. 

 Lindstrom had done his best, and that is not saying 

 a little. I specially admired his powers and his 

 liberality and I think, even in the short time I have 

 observed him, he has shown no sign of being stingy- 

 when he appeared with the ''Napoleon" cakes. Now 

 I must tell you that these cakes were served after every 

 man had put away a quarter of a plum-pudding. The 

 cakes were delightful to look at the finest puff-pastry, 

 with layers of vanilla custard and cream. They made 

 my mouth water. But the size of them! there could 

 not be one of those mountains of cake to every man? 

 One among them all, perhaps if they could be expected 

 to eat Napoleon cakes at all after plum-pudding. But 



