Sayfa 49 / 788

The Judge, though wearied, and though surrounded by guests, did

not neglect the weighty duties of his farm, but himself went to

the well: at evening a farmer can best see how his stable

prospers, and never entrusts that care to servants-for the Judge

knew that the master's eye fattens the horse.

The Seneschal and Protazy the Apparitor14 were standing in the

hall, lanterns in hand, and were arguing with some warmth, for in

the Seneschal's absence the Apparitor had secretly ordered the

supper tables to be carried out from the mansion and to be set up

hastily in the old castle of which the remains could be seen near

the wood. Why this transfer? The Seneschal made wry faces and

begged the Judge's pardon; the Judge was amazed, but the thing

had been done; it was already late and difficult to correct it;

he preferred to make excuses to his guests and to lead them to

the ruins.