"How do you know that?"
"Can't you tell by looking at a stocking when the leg's out of it? I know all about it. Crescence went up just now, with her mother's husband, going to market, too."
"Never fear."
"I know all about it. They say you're well tied up with her." Florian smiled and passed on, glad to know that the truth was not suspected.
In the hollow Florian saw Schlunkel,--an outcast of a fellow, who had been to the penitentiary twice, sitting by the roadside and counting money. At another time he would not have honored such a wretch with a look; but now he could not help addressing him with, "Shall I help you count?" The fellow looked at him without answering.
Florian sat down beside him and at last asked him for a florin. Schlunkel grinned, tightened the strings of his purse, passed his finger across his mouth, and whistled. Florian held his arm convulsively.
"You wouldn't take the money from me, would you?" asked Schlunkel. "What do you want so much money for?"
"I want to buy something."
"Well, I'll go to Horb with you."