Else wrapped her hand around the wooden dog in her pocket. “There is a kernel of truth in what he said. I have delegated tasks.”
“I told you.”
“Tasks that belonged to others in the first place.” Else kept her gaze and her voice level. “For months, Mortensen ordered me to do his typing and dictation, which is Mrs. Iversen’s job. He also ordered me to run errands and clean equipment, which have been tasks of graduate students since time immemorial.”
Bohr scooted his chair back, and he shifted a befuddled gaze to Mortensen. “You should settle this problem between you.”
“I’ve tried.” Else spread her hands wide. “Three months ago, Mrs. Iversen and I informed him that she would perform secretarial duties, the graduate students would perform their duties, and I would perform the duties of a postdoctoral physicist. Mortensen agreed. Wolff is our witness.”
“But she doesn’t do her duties.” Mortensen’s voice rose. Rather unprofessional if Else had her say-so.
With effort, she relaxed her mouth. “Have any other physicists complained of my work?”
“What does that matter?” Mortensen said. “It’s what she’s doing now that matters. And now she’s lazy and conniving. See what she’s doing? She wants you to kick me out. She wants my spot.”
“I want no such thing.”
“Prove it. Prove you don’t want it.”
Else fought the temptation to roll her eyes. “Every scientist knows it’s impossible to prove a negative.”
“That’s enough.” Bohr bolted to his feet. “Both of you—please leave. Settle this like adults. I won’t have a combative situation in the institute.”
Mortensen dipped a bow to Else and opened the door. “After you.”
Else gave Bohr one last pleading look, then left his office.
The door shut behind her. “Goodbye,MissJensen. It was nice working with you,” Mortensen said with triumph in his voice, and he departed.
Else’s chest constricted. Bohr couldn’t have a combative situation. One of them would have to leave. Mortensen had seniority and authority.
He’d won. Knudsen would leave and Else would be forced out.
She covered her face with her hands. What had she done?
At dinner, Else barely managed to smile at Fru Riber’s funny stories and to avoid Hemming’s penetrating gaze.
If only Laila hadn’t been working late with the newspaper, as she often did now that she worked for them full-time. She’d divert attention from Else. Then again, she’d pry. Else couldn’t bear it.
Fru Riber spread butter on the last bit of her rye bread. “Did you hear about the German seaplane that crashed in the canal today?”
“No.” Else rubbed her fork with her thumb.
“Fru Hansen told me, and we went to see. No one was hurt, but what a spectacle.”
Else murmured around a mouthful of red cabbage.
Fru Riber glanced down the table. “Could you see it, Hemming?”
“Ja.” He knifed his hand in a downward diagonal.
“How are things at the shipyard?” the landlady asked. “Have they caught those saboteurs?”
Hemming shook his head and stuffed a piece of bread in his mouth.
Else had read inFrit Danmarkabout the freedom fighters who broke into the Ahlefeldt Shipyard and set fire to scaffolding. Two ships tipped over and were badly damaged. One of them had been ready for launch.
“It’s been a week, ja?” Fru Riber gathered her silverware onto her empty plate. “Have you finished the repairs?”
