"Tsch-st-st-st--" with these sounds, resembling the hissing of a pot on a fire, did the little pitchman receive the gift.
"What does that mean?" asked Walpurga and her mother, in one breath.
"Tsch-st-st-st," answered Peter.
"What's the matter with you? are you crazy?" asked the mother, whose face had suddenly assumed a serious expression.
"Tsch-st-st-st," replied the little pitchman again.
And now it was Walpurga's turn to become angry and to inquire: "What do you mean by such capers?"
"Oh, you piece of palace wisdom!" said Peter at last, "don't you know how it hisses when a drop falls on a hot stone, and, d'ye see? it's just the same with me and the money."
The mother told him that he was ungrateful, and that the people thought that Walpurga had now enough money to make every one rich. He ought to feel very happy, for he had never before had so much at any one time. But the little pitchman, without making further answer, continued to repeat the strange, hissing noise. Walpurga went out and soon returned with another ten florin piece, which she gave to the little pitchman, who then said:
"There! it's out now; I can pay all my debts and buy me a goat, besides," and, striking the pieces of money together, he sang:
"What's the best? aye, what's the best?