Laughing in their sleeves at the peasant’s simplicity, the students followed. Arrived at the inn, Jan ordered dinner for four, and a heap of good things were put upon the table. After the repast, he called the serving-maid to him, took off his cap as before, and twirled it round three times on his finger. “Now then,” said he, “everything is paid for, isn’t that so?”
“Certainly, sir,” answered the serving-maid, “and I am very much obliged to you.”
JAN AND THE THREE STUDENTS
At this the three students opened their eyes even wider than before, but Jan took not the slightest notice of their astonishment.
“What do you say, friends,” he asked, “shall we go on to the town together and wash the dinner down with a glass of ale apiece?”
“As many as you please,” answered the students joyfully, and so they followed Jan to the town, where he entered a third tavern and ordered drinks all round. Then, taking off his cap once again, he twirled it round three times on his finger, and said to the innkeeper: “Everything is paid for, isn’t it, my good man?”
“Certainly, sir,” said the innkeeper, bowing.