One day a man on horseback drew up in front of the cottage. He was dressed all in black, he was very thin, and very sad of countenance.
“Is any one within?” he asked.
“God bless your sadness,” answered Soetkin, “but am I a phantom, that seeing me here you must yet inquire if there is any one within?”
“Where is your father?” asked the horseman.
“If my father’s name is Claes, he is over there,” Soetkin told him. “You will find him sowing corn.”
The horseman departed in the direction in which she had pointed, and Soetkin also went her way ruefully, for this was the sixth time that she had had to go to the baker’s to buy bread with no money to pay for it.
On returning empty-handed to the cottage, Soetkin was amazed to see Claes coming down the road triumphantly seated on the horse of the man in black. He looked very proud of himself, and the man in black walked by his side holding the horse’s bridle. Hanging at his side, Claes held a leathern bag which appeared to be full of things. Dismounting from the horse, Claes embraced his companion, gave him a playful pat upon the back, and then, shaking the bag, cried out in a loud voice:
“Long life to Josse, my brother, the good hermit of Meyborg! May God keep him in joy and fatness, in happiness and health! Our Josse, patron of plenty, and of all abundance, and rich soups!”
And so saying he took up the sack and deposited it upon the table. But Soetkin said sadly:
“My good man, we shall not eat this day. The baker has refused to give me any bread.”