LXXV
Soetkin was in Katheline’s standing against the wall, her head hanging low and her hands joined together. She was holding Ulenspiegel in her embrace, neither speaking nor weeping.
Ulenspiegel also remained silent; he was terrified to feel the fire of fever with which his mother’s body burned.
The neighbours, being back from the place of execution, said that Claes had ended his sufferings.
“He is in glory,” said the widow.
“Pray,” said Nele to Ulenspiegel: and she gave him her rosary; but he would by no means make use of it, because, said he, the beads had been blessed by the Pope.
Night having fallen, Ulenspiegel said to the widow: “Mother, we must put you in bed: I shall watch beside you.”
But Soetkin: “I have no need,” said she, “that you should watch; sleep is good for young men.”
Nele made ready a bed for each in the kitchen, then she went away.
They stayed together as long as the remains of a fire of roots burned in the chimney place.