THE NATIVES ABROAD. 291 



to mind the bellowing of our own nautical men, 

 this seemed to me a remarkably modest way of getting 

 on, and very different from what one might have ex- 

 pected from the descendants of the rough vikings of 

 old. 



Tie prevailing quiescence, however, reached its cul- 

 nunating point at the dinner table, for there the silence 

 vas total, although a good deal of gesticulative ceremony 

 and vigorous muscular action prevailed. When we had 

 all assembled in the cabin at the whispered request of 

 the steward, and had stood for a few minutes looking 

 benign and expectant, but not talking, the captain en- 

 tered, bowed to the company, was bowed to by the 

 company, motioned us to our seats, whispered " ver so 

 goot," and sat down. 



This phrase versogoot (I spell it as pronounced) merits 

 explanation in passing. It is an expression that seems 

 to me capable of extension and distension, and is fre- 

 quently on the lip of a Norwegian. It is a convenient, 

 flexible, jovial expression, which is easily said, easily 

 remembered, and means much. I cannot think of a 

 better way of conveying an idea of its signification than 

 7 by saying that it is a compound of the phrases, " be so 

 good" "by your leave" "if you please" "go it, 

 my hearties" and "that's your sort." The first oi 

 these, be so good, is the literal translation, the remainder 

 are the superinduced sentiments resulting from the tone 

 and manner in which the words are uttered. You ma> 

 rely upon it that when a Norwegian offers you anything 



