Then he began to think of some of the wrong things that he had done himself. He had been too friendly with these bad men, and not as kind as he should have been to some good men that he knew. Especially he remembered how unkindly he had treated one good man. It happened in this way.
When he first came to the inn, after renting it, he found a watchman there. The owner of the inn had sent him to watch it, and keep it safe. When the landlord came, this watchman did not go away, but stayed on. The owner had told him to stay and watch the house; for, although the owner had rented it, the house still belonged to him.
So the watchman stayed and tried to make himself useful to the landlord. But the landlord paid no attention to him; in truth, he often treated him rudely, until one day, when the watchman was warning him against these very men out of the forest, the landlord told him he could take care of his house himself, and that he did not want his help any further.
Since that time the poor man had been staying about the inn wherever he could find a place. Sometimes he slept down in the cellar, sometimes out in the wood-house; and when he got anything to eat, it was always after the servants were done, and only such food as was left from their table. And now the landlord remembered all this. While he sat thinking about it before the fire, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” said the landlord; and the door opened, and in walked this same watchman. He did not say a word, but stood still, looking right at the landlord.
“Watchman,” said the landlord, “I have treated you very unkindly, and I am sorry for it. Are you willing to forgive me and be watchman again?”
“I am,” said the watchman, “if you will promise to pay attention when I warn you of danger.”
“I promise,” said the landlord; “I will do anything to get out of the trouble I am in.”
“Very well, then,” replied the watchman; “it is a bargain between us. But now go to bed and get some rest, for you need it.”
So the landlord went to bed, and because his worry of mind had worn him down a good deal he soon fell asleep.