Page:Karl Gjellerup - Minna, A novel - 1913.djvu/131

 joined in. I turned round, almost alarmed, and discovered the porter, who seemed to understand the situation.

"But what in the world are you laughing at?" asked Mrs. Hertz.

Hertz now busied himself with getting on board, as if there was danger of the launch leaving them behind. They remained near the railing, and for a quarter of an hour we kept up a spasmodic conversation, searching for something to say, all of us tired of waiting. Hertz recommended an hotel which was good and "moderate." At last the signal bell rang. Hertz remembered the man in the waiting-room.

"Let him come if he cares to," said the mate.

But the old man got excited. I ran and woke up the phlegmatic stranger, who followed me grumpily. As soon as he had passed over the gangway, it was hauled in, and the steamer glided away, turned slowly, and disappeared in the darkness. Minna kept on waving her handkerchief.

I was on the point of embracing her, when I remembered that perhaps we might still be visible from the boat. Besides, the porter was sitting a few yards away, astride on the railing.