"Is it long since you've heard from your queen?" asked the host, casually.
"No. Only to-day."
"What does she say?"
"All sorts of things," said Hansei, discreetly, adding, in a careless manner, "I want to ask your advice about something presently."
The other guests looked up in surprise, to find Hansei the woodcutter addressing the innkeeper in this familiar tone, and were none the less astonished that the latter did not object.
"If you've got more paper money it would be quite convenient," replied the innkeeper.
"I've none this time, but I want to talk to you about another matter."
The host went into the back room, sent his wife out to wait on the guests, and exclaimed: "Come in, Hansei." A secret council was held in the back room.
Hansei told him that his wife would return in seven weeks from yesterday, that she had written to him to come for her, and that, while he knew how to carry himself in the world--
"Yes, that you do," said the host, "it was only yesterday that the chief forester--he was sitting in the very seat you're in, now--said: 'That Hansei's a sharp fellow'."