“No,” said Ulenspiegel.
“Because you go carrying fish and poultry in your hand instead of in your stomach.”
“You are right, Lamme,” said Ulenspiegel; “but since I have lacked bread, ortolans will not even look at me.”
“You shall eat your fill of them,” said Lamme, “and serve me too, if my cook takes a fancy to you.”
While they were walking along, Lamme pointed out to Ulenspiegel a beautiful young girl, who was walking through the market. She wore a silk dress and gazed at Lamme with sweet and gentle eyes. An old man, her father, walked just behind, carrying two nets, one filled with fish, the other with game.
“See that girl?” said Lamme, pointing at her. “I am going to marry her.”
“Oh!” said Ulenspiegel, “I know her. She is a Flemish maid from Zotteghem. She lives in the rue Vinave-d’Isle, and the neighbours say that she lets her mother sweep the road in front of the house in her stead, while her own father irons her underclothing.”
To this Lamme made no answer, but exclaimed delightedly:
“She looked at me just now!”
By this time they were come to Lamme’s lodging, near the Pont-des-Arches. They knocked at the door, and a one-eyed servant opened to them. Ulenspiegel saw that she was old, scraggy, lank, and fierce of aspect.