How it did blow! I declare, it did blow; why, it almost tore my mill down. I would have been left with nothing. It has done some damage,--thanks to the Lord, not much damage. Did I say not much damage? Well, I have enough to do to fix it up. (_Putting the level to the board._) It’ll come out all right, and all will go well again. (_Advancing towards the orchestra._) I have to laugh every time I think of it; they say that a mill cannot exist without a wizard, and that a miller isn’t just a man like anybody else: he is on speaking terms with the house-spirit, and the house-spirits live in their mills like devils ... ha, ha, ha, ha! What bosh! Am I not a miller through and through? I was born, brought up, and have grown old in the mill, and yet I have never laid my eyes on a house-spirit. Now, to tell the gospel truth, it’s just this: if you are a shrewd fellow and a good hand at cheating, that sorcery business is a good thing.... Let them prattle what they please, but we earn our bread by our profession. Who by cheating makes a living, Him at once all call a gipsy, And you gain through gipsy dealings The reputation of a wizard. Even in that way the witches Make a living by deception. There’s a big lot of these rascals: Some of them bespeak the water, Others turn the sieve for people, And through such tricks make a living! Just like me, sinful man!... SCENE 2. FILIMÓN AND THE FORMER _Miller_ (_noticing him_). Ah! I am getting a guest. I’ll earn a penny this day. (_To Filimón._) Godspeed, young man! _Filimón._ My respects, old man. _Miller._ Whence come you, whither tend you? _Filimón._ Not farther than my business takes me. _Miller._ Of your own will, or by compulsion? _Filimón._ I am looking for horses: my roan and grey have gotten away from me; they are fine horses, such fine horses. (_Aside._) He is a fortune-teller: I’ll try my fortune with him. (_To the Miller._) Say, old man, I want to ask you---- _Miller._ What is it you want? As you please, I am at your service. _Filimón._ That’s good! And I’ll pay you for it. Tell me my fortune: shall I find my horses? _Miller._ Shall you find your horses? _Filimón._ That’s it, old man. I am very anxious to find out about them. _Miller._ Now, how about that; is there going to be anything? (_Stretches out his hand to him._) _Filimón._ First tell me, old man, and then we’ll see. _Miller_ (_turns away from him, and angrily begins a song_): Tell the fortune: As the guess is, So is the pay. _Filimón._ But, old man, I expect to pay you. _Miller._ ’Tis with a promise As with a chair: If you sit and do not eat, Then your belly is not full. _Filimón._ Believe me, I am not lying to you. _Miller._ If it’s so, All this talking is in vain; Take out your purse, Don’t talk uselessly, Count out the money. (_Puts out his hand, and looks in his eyes._)