Sandu had followed him but the words died upon his lips. "What is it, Sandu? Do you want to tell me something?" "Well, Master Dinu, without any offence to you, I want to give up the work." Master Dinu looked long at him. He was prepared for anything except this, and just now when the fairs were in full swing. "You want to give me notice? But why?" "Because the mistress is always abusing me, and she is not satisfied with the way I work, and Iotza makes fun of me, and I can bear it no longer: it is too hard. I work with all my might, and I want to do good work, and I don't want you to keep me just out of charity as people say you do." "Come, don't do that; you know the mistress, that is her way. As for Iotza--listen, I'll stop his mouth. And, then, where would you find another place? Take my advice and let me talk to the mistress." Master Dinu went away, and Sandu returned to the workshop. Before he had spoken with Master Dinu he had not seemed to realize whether there was work to finish, and now he did not know whether he had finished it or not. Master Dinu went into the house. He told his wife that Sandu had wished to leave, and bade her leave him in peace from now on, seeing that he was an industrious workman and an honest man. "Thank you," replied his wife; "let me tell you that I take as much interest in the workshop as you do, and if I am not to be allowed to speak to the workmen, or give them orders about the work----" "I do not say you are not to give them orders, but you are not to make fun of them. After all, they are human beings." "So I am in the wrong! If I tell them how they are to do something I am making fun of the men; impertinent man, to accuse me of joking. And why didn't you send him away?" "Send him away? Why? Just now when we are greatly in need of men? I rack my brains to try and get another hand for the work, and don't know where to find one, while you are longing to get rid of Sandu, and in the long run, for no reason. You must not be like this." They were still talking when Nitza Burencea came to ask if he was going to the fair at Devi. That evening, after supper, the mistress stopped Sandu as she wanted to send him somewhere. "Sandu, why did you want to leave your work? Are you not satisfied with our food?" "Quite satisfied." "Or don't we give you enough whisky in the evening?" "I don't drink whisky." "Don't drink it? But, you silly man, why didn't you tell me? And those other two said nothing about it--you don't think it rains whisky with us, do you? They have drawn your share all these days. But I'll wipe their mouths for them. Why did you not tell me long ago?" "You never asked me." "Well, go where I tell you; and, listen, if I send you it is because I have not got so much confidence in the others; do just what I have told you." "I will do so, mistress," replied Sandu, with a much lighter heart. When he reached the street he told himself the mistress was not so bad after all.