“They will give nothing to me, for I am an old woman,” wept the Stevenyne.
“A sou a day, crocodile,” said Ulenspiegel, “for thou shalt be serving woman to these four beauteous damsels; thou shalt wash their petticoats, blankets, and chemises.”
“I, Lord God!” said she.
Ulenspiegel replied:
“Thou hast ruled them long, living on the earnings of their bodies and leaving them poor and hungry. Thou mayst whine and bellow, it shall be as I have said.”
Thereupon the four girls began to laugh and mock at the Stevenyne, and say to her, putting out their tongues:
“To each her turn in this world. Who would have said it of Stevenyne the miser? She shall work for us as a servant. Blessed be the lord Ulenspiegel!”
Then the three turned to Gilline:
“Thou wast her daughter, her support; thou didst share with her the fruits of thy foul spydom. Wilt thou ever dare again to strike and insult us with thy brocade dress? Thou didst scorn us because we were but fustian. Thou art clothed so richly only with the blood of victims. Let us take her dress so that she may be even like ourselves.”
“I will not have it,” said Ulenspiegel.