s could give
him. We awaited the tidings of him with much fear; and at this time we
likewise knew not what to think of those gentlemen who heretofore had
been such steadfast and faithful friends to us, inasmuch as that Doctor
Holzschuher gave no sign, and soon after my grand-uncle's burying Uncle
Christian and Master Pernhart had set forth for Augsburg on some privy
matters of the town council. Yet we could do nought but submit, by
reason that we knew that every good citizen thinks of the weal of the
Commonwealth before all else.

Even our nearest of kin had laid our concerns on the shelf, while day
and night alike it weighed on our souls, and we made ready for a long
time to come of want and humble cheer. The Virgin be my witness that at
that time I was ready and willing to give up many matters which we were
forced to forego; howbeit, we found out that it was easier to eat bread
without butter and no flesh meat, than to give up certain other matters.
As for my jewels, which Cousin Maud would not sell, but pledged them
to a goldsmith, I craved them not. Only a heart with a full great ruby
which I had ever worn as being my Hans' first lovetoken, I would indeed
have been fain to keep, yet whereas Master Kaden set a high price on the
stone I suffered him to break it out, notwithstanding all that Cousin
Maud and Ann might say, and kept only the gold case. It was hard
likewise to send forth the serving-folk and turn a deaf ear to their
lamenting. Most of the men, when they heard how matters stood, would
gladly have stayed to serve us for a lesser wage, and each and all went
about looking as if the hail had spoilt their harvest; only old Susan
held her head higher than ever, by reason that we had chosen her to
share our portion during the years of famine. Likewise we were glad to
promise the old horse-keeper, who had served our father before us, that
we would care for him all his days; he besought me eagerly that I would
keep my own Hungarian palfrey, for, to his mind, a damsel of high degree
with no saddle nor steed was as a bird that cannot rise on its wings.
Howbeit, we found those who were glad to buy the horse, and never shall
I forget the hour when for the last time I patted the smooth neck of
my Bayard, the gift of my lost lover, and felt his shrewd little head
leaning against my own. Uncle Tucher bought him for his daughter Bertha,
and it was a comfort to me to think that she was a soft, kind hearted
maid, whom I trul