"Ah! God greet you, Hansei," exclaimed the host. "God greet you! God be with you!" stammered out Hansei, confusedly.
"What's the matter with you? You're as pale as death. What's happened to you? Where do you come from?" inquired the host.
"I'll tell you all about it, after awhile," answered Hansei; "but, first of all, give me a schoppen of wine."
The wine was brought, and Hansei looked around, as if wondering where he was.
He felt as if he had come from another world, and it was not until he had eaten some bread and salt, that he told them of the strange adventures he had had that day. He had gone out into the forest to load up the wood, and had lost his way, and wandered in the direction of Windenreuthe. He said this intentionally, lest some one might have seen him in that neighborhood.
They spoke of the belief in ghosts, but the innkeeper ridiculed such nursery tales. Hansei made no reply. The innkeeper remarked, very sensibly:
"You're often bewildered, nowadays, just because your Walpurga isn't with you. You're thinking of her all the time, and that's what makes you lose your way."
"Yes--quite likely."
"Do you know what they call you in the village, now?"
"Well, what?"