"Let go! I'm all right," said Landolin, quieting down. "Come, Tobias, come with me! Indeed I have not drunk too much to-day, but I have gone through so much that its almost upset me. Here, Tobias, let me lean a little on you. Good night to you all. I hope you will get home all right. I shall soon follow you."
He went up to his room with Tobias, and as soon as he got there he caught tight hold of Tobias' arms and cried:
"Be still! I won't hurt you. Not you! You haven't deserved it. Do you know what I long for? Do you know what I wish?"
"How can I know it?"
"I'd like to have one of 'em between my thumb and finger, like this, so--Hutadi! I'd like to snap and crack his arms and legs. I'd like best to get at Titus--or all of the six--they ought to have been unanimous--the cursed--"
"Let me go, master," begged Tobias, for the grip of his hand was far from gentle; "and I advise you to keep quieter. You can say anything you like to me. What we two have got through together, can't be undone."
The situation dawned upon Landolin. He, the farmer, was reproved by his own servant.
"All right, all right," he muttered and soon fell sound asleep.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
It was almost noon when Landolin awoke. He prepared for his journey home, and paid his bill. It was very evident that the landlord had cheated him. He was greatly vexed at being taken in by this plausible fellow, but he did not want an open quarrel. The thought that, for some time to come, he must allow himself to be cheated without daring to say anything, worried him more than the loss of his money. He now wished to return home immediately, and enter the village in triumph; but Peter put off going until near evening; for he did not want his father to reach home until after dark; and when Landolin swore at the unnecessary delays, Peter said, coolly and meaningly: