Steps were now heard. It was not Thoma, but the pastor, who came. His
words were kind and comforting, but Landolin stared at him blankly.
True, he saw him, but he heard him not; his thoughts were with his
daughter, who was so terribly changed. It was not until the pastor
mentioned Cushion-Kate, and said that she had grown wild and
uncontrollable, and talked most blasphemously, that Landolin paid any
attention to what he said. And when the pastor added that it seemed as
if Cushion-Kate had gone crazy, he cried:

"There are insane asylums for such people. She should be put into one.
The town can pay for it."

"That's not so easily done; the district physician will have to order
it."

Thoma had unexpectedly appeared, and brought in the supper, which she
had had prepared. The pastor started to leave, but upon Thoma's and her
mother's entreaties he remained. They needed a man of peace to bring
quiet and concord. The meal-time passed cheerfully, and Landolin ate
ravenously. During a pause, he asked: "Herr Pastor, is neither the
young bailiff nor any of the councilmen at home? It would be no more
than proper for them to call. They must have known that I was coming."

The pastor seemed to find no answer, and Landolin's wife spared him
embarrassment by reminding her husband that he had said that he would
no longer concern himself about other people.

When the pastor took his leave, Landolin accompanied him respectfully.
Pausing before the house, the pastor said in a low tone:

"Give me half."

"Half of what?"

"When you were in prison, did you not vow a hundred times that when you
were released you would give liberally to the poor and the church? Give
me half, or a third, or a fourth."

"Herr Pastor, you're joking. It is too soon for me to joke with you."

"If you change your mind, you know where to find me," said the pastor.
As he turned away, Landolin looked after him scornfully.

He went to the well and drank of the water that poured swiftly from it.
As he wiped his mouth, he said to his wife who was looking out of the
window:

"Nothing in the world quenches my thirst so, and makes me feel so well
and fresh as water from our own well."

"Come in, it is bed-time."

CHAPTER XLI.

Landolin strove to think of something else than that which, against his
will, forced itself upon him; and asked his wife after they had got to
their room:

"Is there nothing new? Hasn't anyt