"Ex-bailiff, I have some good advice for you."
"Good advice? that is always useful."
"I think you ought to go away with Thoma for a few weeks. Go to a bathing place. It will do you good."
"I'm not sick. There is nothing the matter with me. I didn't know that our judge's wife was a doctor, too."
"You understand what I mean."
"I'm sorry I'm so stupid, but I don't understand you."
"Then I must speak plainly. Do you think that I desire your welfare?"
"Yes, certainly; why not?"
"You ought to go away a few weeks, and when you come back matters will be in a better condition. Other things will have happened in the meantime, and----You may believe me it would be well."
Landolin shook his head, and said after a long silence: "I know you mean thoroughly well; of course you do; but I shall not stir from this spot. I'll stay, if only to fool the rest of them. Already the honorable Titus--the hypocrite!--has been trying to spread the rumor that I am going to sell my farm. I'll stay here and cry fie upon the whole country. We have owned our farm for hundreds and hundreds of years. You can ask Walderjörgli; he will testify."