I looked and listened.
"So," said this man, "you have no horse?"
"No, sir; all our beasts are in the wood, and at such a time as this we cannot leave the village."
"But twenty francs are pretty good pay for four or five hours."
"Yes, at ordinary times; but not now."
Then I advanced, asking: "Monsieur offers twenty francs to go what distance?"
"To Sarrebourg," said the stranger, astonished to see me.
"If you will say thirty, I will undertake to convey you there. I am a miller; I always want my horses; there are no others in the village."
"Well, do; put in your horses."
These thirty francs for eight leagues had flashed upon me. My wife had just come down into the kitchen, and I told her of it; she thought I was doing right.