having clad himself in other garments, went himself to meet the priest. And the priest failed to recognise him, but questioned him, saying:
"Tell me, friend—hast seen a labourer on the road?"
"I have seen one, and he ran to the village."
"Come, friend, aid us in the search."
"Willingly, little father."
All four then went in search of the priest's labourer; they entered the village; they walked; they walked unto eventide; naught befell. Darkness descended. Where might they pass the night?
Anon they came to a house where dwelt a widow, and they begged leave of her to pass the night therein.
"Good people," replied the widow, "there will be a deluge this night in my house. I warn ye of it beforehand. Ye will be drowned."
Howbeit, she did not refuse them—indeed, she might not—and she let them enter for the night.
(Now the widow's lover had promised to visit her that night.)
All four then entered the house and betook themselves to bed. The priest, thinking perchance there might be a deluge, laid hold of a great through, set it upon a shelf, and put himself to sleep in the trough.
"If there be a deluge," thought he to himself, "I shall float upon the top of it in the through."
The strolling player laid himself down by the hearth, his head in the ashes; the peasant reclined on the bench behind the table; and the priest's labourer stretched himself on the stool by the window. Hardly had they lain down ere they fell into
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