Mamselle Lovisa said straight out that if it was to that high boat they were rowing she could not go aboard.
"Wait a bit, Lovisa," said the Lieutenant, "and you'll see it's easier than you imagine."
Then Mamselle Lovisa declared she would as soon think of climbing the flagpole at Laholmen. She thought they had better turn back at once.
Fru Lagerlöf and Back-Kaisa agreed with her, and were for going home. But Lieutenant Lagerlöf stuck to his point. There was no fear but they'd get aboard all right, he said. This was perhaps their one chance of a lifetime to see how it looked on a merchant vessel; and they ought not to miss such an opportunity.
"But once we're up we'll never be able to get down again," argued Mamselle Lovisa.
They met a boat laden with sacks.
"See that boat, Lovisa?" the Lieutenant said. "Do you know what's in those sacks?"
"My dear Gustaf," returned Mamselle Lovisa wearily, "how should I know?"
"Well, they're sacks of salt from the Jacob" the Lieutenant informed her. "They have neither arms nor legs, yet they've come off the ship; so surely you should be able to do it."
"You ought to dress up once in crinoline and long skirts," snapped Mamselle Lovisa, "then perhaps you'd not be so brave."
They went on like that the whole way out to the ship. The little girl who so longed to meet the bird of paradise
