And while he was fastening up the beast, paring his hoof and fitting the shoe, he said to the man: “Whence come you, with this woman and this ass?”
“We come,” said the man, “from a distant country, and have still far to go.”
“And this child whom I see naked,” said Smetse, “does he not oftentimes suffer from the cold?”
“Nay,” said the man, “for he is all warmth and all life.”
“Well, well,” said Smetse, “you do not cry down your own children, master. But what is your meat and drink while you are travelling in this manner?”
“Water from streams,” said the man, “and such bread as is given us.”
“Ah,” said Smetse, “that is not much, I see, for the ass’s panniers are light. You must often go hungry.”
“Yes,” said the man.
“This,” said Smetse, “is displeasing to me, and it is most unwholesome for a nursing mother to suffer hunger, for so the milk turns sour, and the child grows in sickly wise.” And he called out to his wife: “Mother, bring hither as many loaves and hams as will fill the panniers of this beast. And do not forget some double bruinbier, ’tis heavenly comfort for poor travellers. And a good peck of oats for the ass.”
When the panniers were filled and the beast shod, the man said to Smetse: “Smith, it is in my mind to give thee some recompense for thy great goodness, for such as thou seest me I have great power.”