Anyhow it was a great pity she did not come to-day, thought Jan, when there were so many of her old acquaintances at the pier.  There stood both Senator Carl Carlson and August Daer Nol.  Bjoern Hindrickson’s son-in-law was also on hand, and even Agrippa Praestberg had turned out.

Agrippa had nursed a grievance against the little girl since the day she fooled him about the spectacles.  Jan had to admit to himself that it would have been a great triumph for him had Glory Goldie stood on the boat that day in all her pomp and splendour, so that Praestberg could have seen her.  However, since she had not come, there was nothing for him but to go back home.  As he was about to leave the pier cantankerous old Agrippa barred his way.

“Well, well!” said Agrippa.  “So you’re running down here after that daughter of yours to-day, too?”

Jan knowing it was best not to bandy words with a man like Agrippa, simply stepped to one side, so as to get by him.

“I declare I don’t wonder at your wanting to meet such a fine lady as she has turned out to be!” said Agrippa with a leer.

Just then August Daer Nol rushed up and seized Agrippa by the arm, to silence him.  But Agrippa was not to be silenced.

“The whole parish knows of it,” he shouted, “so it’s high time her parents were told of her doings!  Jan Anderson is a decent fellow, even if he did spoil that girl of his, and I can’t bear to see him sit here day after day, week in and week out, waiting for a—­”

He called the little girl of Ruffluck such a bad name that Jan would not repeat it even in his thoughts.  But now that Agrippa had flung that ugly word at him in a loud voice, so that every one on the pier heard what he said, all that Jan had kept locked within him for a whole year burst its bonds.  He could no longer keep it hidden.  The little girl must forgive him for betraying her secret.  He said what he had to say without the least show of anger or boastfulness.  With a sweep of his hand and a lofty smile, as if hardly deigning to answer, he said: 

“When the Empress comes—­”

“The Empress!” grinned Agrippa.  “Who might that be?” Just as if he had not heard about the little girl’s elevation.

Jan of Ruffluck, unperturbed, continued in the same calm, even tone of voice: 

“When the Empress Glory of Portugallia stands on the pier, with a crown of gold upon her head, and with seven kings behind her holding up her royal mantle, and seven tame lions crouched at her feet, and seven and seventy generals, with drawn swords, going before her, then we shall see, Praestberg, whether you dare say to herself what you’ve just said to me!”

When he had finished speaking he stood still a moment, noting with satisfaction how terrified they looked, all of them; then, turning on his heel, he walked away, but without hurry or flurry, of course.

The instant his back was turned there was a terrible commotion on the pier.  At first he paid no attention to it, but presently, on hearing a heavy thud, he had to look back.  Then he saw Agrippa lying flat on his face and August Daer Nol bending over him with clenched fists.