Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/217

Rh deep slumber, excepting the labourer, who alone slept not. He it was who heard the lover of the mistress of the house come beneath the window and knock, saying:

"Open, my beloved."

The labourer arose, opened the window, and spake in low tones, saying:

"Beloved, thou comest at an ill moment. Strangers are within my house, passing the night therein. Come thou the next night."

"I go, beloved," answered the lover. "But lean thou from the window that we may embrace."

The labourer turned his posterior to the window an thrust out his backside. The lover embraced it with rapture.

"I go……adieu, my beloved. Fare thee well. I will return to-morrow night."

"Go, loved one. I will wait thee, but, as a parting gift, give me thy yard, which I will hold for several moments in my hand. 'Twill console me somewhat."

The lover drew forth his yard from his drawers and thrust it towards the window.

"Take it, beloved," quoth he. "Amuse thyself."

The labourer took the yard in his hand, caressed it once or twice, drew his knife from his pocket, and, with one blow, cut off the member and testicles of the lover. The latter uttered a great cry, and sped amain to his home. The labourer shut the window, sat down on the bench, and made a noise with his mouth, as though eating. The, peasant heard the noise and awoke, saying:

"What eatest thou, comrade?"