Master Dinu went into the house. He told his wife that Sandu had wished to leave, and bade her leave him in peace from now on, seeing that he was an industrious workman and an honest man.
“Thank you,” replied his wife; “let me tell you that I take as much interest in the workshop as you do, and if I am not to be allowed to speak to the workmen, or give them orders about the work——”
“I do not say you are not to give them orders, but you are not to make fun of them. After all, they are human beings.”
“So I am in the wrong! If I tell them how they are to do something I am making fun of the men; impertinent man, to accuse me of joking. And why didn’t you send him away?”
“Send him away? Why? Just now when we are greatly in need of men? I rack my brains to try and get another hand for the work, and don’t know where to find one, while you are longing to get rid of Sandu, and in the long run, for no reason. You must not be like this.”
They were still talking when Nitza Burencea came to ask if he was going to the fair at Devi.
That evening, after supper, the mistress stopped Sandu as she wanted to send him somewhere.
“Sandu, why did you want to leave your work? Are you not satisfied with our food?”
“Quite satisfied.”
“Or don’t we give you enough whisky in the evening?”