It consisted of Julienne soup, ham, and pork cutlets with _sauer kraut_; then roast lamb and roast veal, served with chervil and beet-root; and lastly, meringues and Vanilla cream.
At the head of the table the conversation was mostly carried on between Mr.Aalbom and Delphin, both of whom came from the neighbourhood of Christiania, and Aalbom tried his best to induce the other to say something disparaging of the west coast and its surroundings.

This he did in the hope that it would cause annoyance to the Consul and his brother, and also that it would put the speaker, as a new guest at Sandsgaard, in an unfavourable light.

Delphin was, however, too quick for him.

Either he noticed his intention, or else he really meant what he said.

The scenery, he declared, was most interesting, and he was particularly pleased with the acquaintances he had hitherto made in the neighbourhood.
Richard Garman had his usual place on the left of the Consul, who sat at the head of the table, and, leaning over beyond Rachel and Mr.Aalbom, who sat next to him, and raising his glass to the new school inspector, he said-- "As you are of the same opinion as Mr.Delphin with regard to our scenery, I hope you will also receive the same favourable opinion of our society.