off than most. There was always a store of fish on his drying ground, and pork and butter in his larder. When the son came back from the seminary, he looked as fine a fellow as the priest's son himself, who was at the university; whiskers down his cheeks and a handkerchief in his pocket and a string of elastic hanging down from his hat, to look smart. The handkerchief in particular brought him no end of chaff; 'twas a wonderful saving lad, said folk, that Simon Rust, so careful he was to keep what common folk threw away.
"He's ordered a new boat from us," said Marcelius. "And Lord send it may serve him well."
"What makes you say that?" asked Frederikke.
"Seems I can’t help it," answered Marcelius. "A green strake he wants, no less; well and good, I'll paint it green. But he wants a name painted on besides, and that he’ll have to do himself."
"A name on it? Whatever for?"
"Ay, did you ever hear the like? And 'tis no pleasure craft neither, but a common four-oar boat. . . . You'd better think it over, Frederikke, if you couldn't make do with me after all."
"But I can't, I tell you. I've given my heart to him."
"Given your heart to him, have you?" says Marcelius. "Well, well . . ." And he walks away.
Nearing towards Christmas came Simon Rust across from Kirkeoen, to paint the name on his new boat. He stayed at the old schoolmaster's house, and Frederikke wore her Sunday dress every day, with silk ribbons at the neck. And when the name was painted on, 'twas not many could read the Latin letters, but what it said was Superfine. That was the boat's name. And 'twas not many knew what that grand word meant.
Then came a fine clear starlight evening, the night before Christmas Eve. Marcelius went to the schoolmaster's house and asked to speak with Simon Rust.
"The name's dry now," said Marcelius.
"Then we'll launch the boat to-morrow," said Simon Rust.
Said Marcelius again, "It is true you're to have Frederikke?"
"Don't reckon that's any business of yours," answered Master Simon.
"Maybe not, but all the same, if you'll tell me whether or no, you shall have the boat for nothing."
