The young ones stayed before the door of the inn, and ’twas affecting to see them so humbly standing, gentle and submissive, waiting for some kindly word from their husbands or sweethearts.
“Well,” said Blaeskaek, “do you please to come in?”
“Yes,” said they all.
“Keep them out,” said Pieter Gans into Blaeskaek’s ear, “keep them out, or they will go chattering to the priests about the deviling, and we shall be burnt, my good friend.”
“I am deaf,” said Blaeskaek; “come in, my dears.”
Thereupon entered all these good women, and took up their places, some by their husbands, others by their sweethearts, and the maids in a line on a bench modestly.
“Women,” said the drinkers, “you wish to join us?”
“Yes,” said they.
“And to drink also?”
“Yes,” said they.