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40 or threefold." The speech pleased the old man full well; he nodded approvingly and drained his cup with greater pleasure and a clearer conscience.

But Undine was not so pleased. "Do as thou wilt," quoth she, "with thy gold and thy repayment, but about thy venturing out in search, thou spakest foolishly. I should weep full sore if thou wert lost in the attempt; and is it not truth that thou wouldest fain stay with me and the good wine?"

"Ay, in sooth," quoth Huldbrand, with a smile.

"Then," saith Undine, "thy words were foolish. For charity, it is said, beginneth at home, and in what do other people concern us?"

The old woman turned away with a sigh, shaking her head, while the fisherman forgot for the nonce his love for the maiden and scolded her. "Thy speech," saith he, as he finished his reproof, "soundeth as though Turks and heathen had brought thee up. May Heaven forgive both me and thee, thou mannerless girl!"

"Well," returned Undine, "'tis what I feel for all that, let who will have brought me up; and what availeth thy sermon?"

"Be silent," cried the fisherman; and Undine, who in spite of her petulance, was very timid, shrank from him. Trembling she nestled close to Huldbrand's side, and softly murmured, "Art thou also wroth with me, dear friend!" The knight for answer pressed her hand and stroked her hair. Naught could he say,