"That is none of your business. With my bacon and beans you have no concern."
"Bacon and beans! Oh, my craving stomach! Here, take this piece of gold and give the some directly."
"Do you take me for a fool, to sell my dinner just as the men will be coming from the field!"
"By no means for a fool," said the emperor, soothingly; "but if you show the men that golden ducat they will wait patiently until you cook them another dinner. Your husband can buy himself a fine holiday suit with this."
"He has one, and don't want two. Go your way; you shall not have a morsel of my dinner."
"Not if I give you two gold pieces? Come, do be accommodating, and give me the bacon and beans."
"I tell you yon shall not have them," screamed the termagant. "I have no use for your gold, but I want my dinner. So be off with you. You will get nothing from me if you beg all day long."
"Very well, madame; I bid you good-morning," said Joseph, laughing, but inwardly chagrined at his fiasco. "I must go on, however," thought he; and he entered the yard of the next house. Before the door sat a pale young woman, with a new-born infant in her arms. She looked up with a languid smile.
"I am hungry," said Joseph, after greeting her with uncovered head.
"Have you any thing good in your kitchen?"
She shook her head sadly. "I am a poor, weak creature, sir, and cannot get a meal for my husband," replied she; "he will have to cook his own dinner when he comes home."