342 A DAY AT FRAMHEIM 



Stubberud was far advanced with his undressing when 

 Lindstrom came in, and, seeing a chance at last of being 

 " first in bed," at once challenged the cook. Lindstrom, 

 who did not quite grasp the situation, accepted the 

 challenge, and then the race began, and was followed by 

 the others with great excitement. Now Stubberud is 

 ready, and is just going to jump into his bunk, which 

 is over Lindstrom's, when he suddenly feels himself 

 clutched by the leg and held back. Lindstrom hangs 

 on to the leg with all his force, crying out, in the 

 most pitiable voice: 'Wait a bit, old man, till I'm 

 undressed too!" It reminded me rather of the man who 

 was going to fight, and called out : ' ; Wait till I get a 

 hold of you!" But the other was not to be persuaded; 

 he was determined to win. Then Lindstrom let go, 

 tore off his braces he had no time for more and dived 

 head first into his bunk. Stubberud tried to protest; 

 this was not fair, he was not undressed, and so on. 

 " That doesn't matter," replied the fat man; " I was 

 first, all the same." 



The scene was followed with great amusement and 

 shouts of encouragement, and ended in a storm of 

 applause when Lindstrom disappeared into his bunk 

 with his clothes on. But that was not the end of the 

 business, for his leap into the bunk was followed by a 

 fearful crash, to which no one paid any attention in the 

 excitement of the moment, himself least of all. But 

 now the consequences appeared. The shelf along the 



