“Another hour is bad enough; but we must keep quiet till he’s well asleep.”
“Yes; there’s nothing to be done till midnight.”
“We’ll meet again at midnight, then.”
“All right; we shall all be there!”
“Good-bye, then, till midnight!”
“Good-bye, till midnight; good-bye!”
They all spoke at once, and the whole dark plan was concocted in a few minutes; then they dispersed to their homes with resolute steps.
Taland listened to the sound with beating heart, and as soon as silence once more prevailed, he stole stealthily homewards.
His wife was sitting over her spinning-wheel.
“I’ve caught a cold wearing these holiday clothes out of their turn,” said Taland; “will you do me the favour to sleep in the window-sill, and keep that flapping shutter close, good wife?”