Then it appeared that neither had any money, which they
smilingly explained, and asked him in bad French to wait
and drive them home again. But the two gentlemen with the big
soft hats had not inspired the driver with any marked degree
of confidence. He made a scene, and attracted a great crowd
of the boys, loafers, and well-dressed Frenchmen who always
collect on critical occasions. The end of the affair was that
the poets had to get into their cab again and drive all the long
way back without having had a glimpse of the grave. When they
reached Lie's lodgings, Lie went in to get some money, while
Bjornson sat in the cab as a hostage. Nevertheless, both poets
maintained that they had had a pleasant expedition. A Norwegian
question, which had accidentally come up between them, had
made them forget all about Alfred de Musset."
Finally, a story may be given that is told by Bjornson himself.
"I had a pair of old boots that I wanted to give to a beggar.
But just as I was going to give them to him, I began to wonder
whether Karoline had not some use for them, since she usually
gave such things to beggars. So I took the boots in my hand,
and went downstairs to ask her, but on the way I got a little
worked up because I did not quite dare to give them to the beggar
myself.
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