“What a horrible thing,” he thought. “Is it possible that such a misfortune has overtaken me? I cannot possibly answer. Who can save the situation? Perhaps our shepherd could; he has a very lively imagination; but talk of the devil——”
At that identical moment the shepherd appeared, leading his flock. He was very surprised to see the Abbot, who was always without a care, meditating in solitude.
What could have happened?
Without further ado he went to him, and asked him what was troubling him so deeply.
“Yes, I deserve to be pitied,” said the Abbot, and he told him what had happened.
“Why are you tormenting yourself over a little thing like that?” the shepherd laughingly replied. “Leave it to me, and all will be well. To-morrow I will come here and dress myself in your robe, and I will turn the tables on him.”
At first the Abbot demurred, but in the end he yielded, and the matter was settled.
“WHAT IS THE DEPTH OF THE SEA?”
The next day the shepherd went boldly to find the Emperor.