Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/215

Rh "And why not? I ordered ye to give him a shovel."

"A shovel? He hath dishonoured us! He hath taken our virginity!"

When the priest heard this, he fell into a mighty rage, seized a stake, and ran headlong to the kitchen garden. The labourer perceived the priest approaching with a stake. Wretched mischance! He hurled the shovel from him and took to his heels. The priest sped after him, but the labourer was the more agile, and vanished from the sight of the priest.

Then went the priest in search of his labourer, and in his search he encountered a peasant.

"Good day, friend," said the priest.

"Good day, little father," answered the peasant.

"Hast encountered my labourer?"

"I know not. A lad passed me, running swiftly."

" 'Tis he! Come with me, little peasant, and aid me in the search. I will pay thee well."

They set out together; not far off they came upon a strolling player.

"Good day, strolling player," said the priest.

"Good day, little father," answered the strolling player.

"Hast met a lad just now?"

"Yea, little father. There was one who went running past me."

"'Tis he! Aid us in the search. I will pay thee well."

"Willingly, little father."

And the three set forth together.

Now the labourer had run to the village, and