LARS 37 



satisfactory reply to the query as to its cost. 

 To say more would be to lay oneself open to 

 the suspicion either of extravagance or of lying. 



He would always, if it were at all possible, 

 appear to understand any remarks addressed to 

 him. " Tempus fugit," said some one. " Ya 

 ya," said Lars, with a most suitable air of re- 

 signation, probably judging something of the 

 meaning from the tone. 



In some ways he was what is called "very 

 human." I told him that I heard Mr. , 

 who had fished here previously, was having very 

 poor sport on a certain well-known river. "I'm 

 glad of it," said Lars, "he owes me thirty 

 krone." 



His contempt for a poor fisherman and for 

 bad tackle was unbounded and never concealed. 

 It happened that the first year we were here 

 an English yacht came up the fjord with a large 

 party. We dined on board, and during dinner 

 I mentioned that Lervik Pool would be in order 

 for fishing about 11 P.M., and that if one of the 

 party would like to fish, I should be pleased 

 if he would do so. The young ladies exclaimed, 

 " Oh ! Mr. Blank is our fisherman, he must go." 

 Mr. Blank modestly deprecated the honour ; he 



