a great prelate, had doubtless
drunk much good liquor, in due form to proceed with him to the
Schoppers' cellar, and there to mark those vessels or jars out of which
the wine should be drawn for the testing. Moreover, to satisfy all the
requirements of the case, a serving-man should be sent to call upon
Master Tucher, as the purchaser, to be present in his own person at the
ceremony. Inasmuch as it yet lacked two hours of midnight, he would,
without doubt, be found in the gentlemen's tavern; and it might be
enjoined on the messenger to add, that if Master Tucher were fain to
bring with him one skilled in such matters to bear him witness on his
part, such an one would be made right welcome at the Schopperhof.

Thus within a quarter of an hour the three worthy gentlemen, and Ann
and I, were seated with the winejars before us, they having chosen for
themselves of the best our cellar could afford; and when the meats which
Cousin Maud sent up were set on the table, albeit there were but earthen
plates and crocks, and no silver glittered on the snow-white cloth, yet
God's good gifts lacked not their savor.

And presently Uncle Tucher came in, and with him, as his skilled
witness, old Master Loffelholz; and when they likewise had sat down
with us, and when we had bidden the Magister to join us, there was such
hearty and joyful emptying of glasses and friendly discourse that Master
Tucher declared that the happy spirit of our father, the singer, still
dwelt within our walls. Howbeit, Ann had to do her duty as watcher over
my uncle more often that evening than for a long time past.

In the course of that right joyful supper many weighty matters were
discussed, and the gentlemen, meseemed, were greatly more troubled
than Cousin Maud or I that we should so hastily have parted with sundry
matters which should not be lacking in a house of good family, but
which, as we had learned by experience, were in no wise needful in life.
And many a jesting word was spoken concerning our poor platters and
dishes, and tin spoons, and empty stables. The bargain over the wine
was declared to be null and void, and my cousin took heart to assure the
gentlemen, in right seemly speech, that now again she was happy, when
she knew that what she had set before such worshipful and welcome guests
was indeed our own, and not another's.

By the time of their departing it was nearer to cockcrow than to
midnight; and when, on the morrow, I went into the ch