kind of a hole.

Wife. But you can't drink beer if you have a fever.

Sexton. Do you know, I think the fever has passed away. Now I'm feeling
cold.

Wife. I'll see if I can't find some small beer.

Sexton. It has to be pretty strong, I think, if it's to do any good.
There's a keg of Rostock No. 4 over there--marked A. W., don't you see?

Wife (searching). I can't find it. Here's an Amsterdam No. 3.

Sexton. Can't you see--up there on the fourth shelf at the right? (His
wife continues to look.) The tap is lying to the left of it, right by
the funnel.

Wife. I don't think it's there.

Sexton. Just as if I didn't know!

Wife. Yes, here it is.

(The Sexton gets up to help his wile and accidentally steps on
Windrank.)

Windrank (waking up). Mercy! Jesu Christ! St. Peter and St. Paul!
Ferdinand and Isabella, and St. George and the Dragon, and all the rest!
And ires dire glories in excellence, and deuces tecum vademecum Christ
Jesu, and birds of a feather, and now I lay me down to sleep, and
a child is born for you to keep--Amen! Amen!--Who's stepping on my
windbag?

Sexton (frightened). Will you please tell me whether you are a man or a
ghost?

Windrank. Man most of the time, but just now I'm a beast.

Sexton. What kind of a man, if I may ask?

Windrank. A shipman--which is nor reason why you should blow all the
wind out of me.

Sexton. But that's my business, you know--I blow the bellows of the big
organ.

Windrank. So it was the organ-blower who honored me--

Sexton. The sexton, to put it right; but I also keep an old-clothes shop
in the church wall.

Windrank. So you're organ-blower, sexton, and shopkeeper--

Sexton. In one person--without confusion or transformation--

Windrank. That's a most respectable trinity.

Sexton. Such things should not be made fun of!

Windrank. Oh, my, my! I'm drowning! Help!

Sexton. Lord, what is it?

Windrank. There's a whole river coming--Ugh!

Sexton. Catherine dear! Where are you, my angel? (He runs to look for
her.) Jesu, but you must have scared my wife out of her wits. She has
run away from the keg--and taken the tap along! Get up--up with you, and
let us leave this godless hole!

Windrank. No, my dear fellow, I'm in my element now, so I think I'll
stay.

Sexton. Goodness, the clock is striking twelve, and the ghosts will be
coming!

Windrank (jumping to his feet). That's a different story! (The Sexton
guides Windrank toward the door.) Listen, se