She turned the conversation upon him cleverly enough, and, as if accidentally, asked the question:
“Did he apologize for his departure on the anniversary of your wedding-day?”
“I know the reason; he could not stay.”
“Of course not, of course not; but whoever is green the goats eat. We mustn’t allow the men to go too far. Give, but take also. An injustice endured is a florin, for which in marriage a calf can be bought.”
“I will not bargain with Peter, and if anything weighed heavily on my mind, I have willingly forgotten it after so long a separation.”
“Wet hay may destroy a barn, and any one to whom the hare runs can catch him! People ought not to keep their troubles to themselves, but tell them; that’s why they have tongues, and yesterday was the right time to make a clean breast of everything that grieves you.”
“He was in such a joyous mood when he came home, and then: Why do you think I feel unhappy?”
“Unhappy. Who said so?”
Maria blushed, but the widow seized the knife and opened the hen-coop.
Trautchen was helping the two ladies in the kitchen, but she was frequently interrupted in her work, for this morning the knocker on the door had no rest, and those who entered must have brought the burgomaster no pleasant news, for his deep, angry voice was often audible.