"What? who?" asked Blasi, fumbling in his empty pockets. "Who picks my pockets? Who are you talking about? I know I did have some; I wish you would tell me the thief." "I'll tell no tales," said Judith, working away. "Bah! tell me, won't you? A fellow can't defend himself unless he knows who is attacking him," growled Blasi. "You might say who you mean." "Well, I will. Go and take him by the ear. His name is Idleness!" As Judith spoke, she raised her head, and looked Blasi full in the face; then she bent to her work again. The lad was angry. He had hoped that he was going to get something back of which he had been robbed, and that Judith would help him as she had been a witness of the theft. "Oh, what a fuss you make over a few minutes," he said crossly; "I have to go at four o'clock to ring the bell. I think I ought to take a little from the old man." "I should say you took more from him than he had. It has just struck half past two; do you know how many minutes there are in an hour and a half?" "There's no getting along with you," said Blasi, turning away. "Well, you get along finely without me, so go on and prosper," said Judith quickly as the lad disappeared. Blasi had by no means given up his project. He did not see anyone in Gertrude's garden as he passed along. He clambered up on the lattice by the hedge and peeped through the open window into the room. Dietrich's mother was seated near her son; both were working steadily, the young fellow was chattering and laughing gaily, and his mother answered and laughed too, but they did not stop working all the while. Blasi saw plainly that this was not the time to make his request. He would wait until the mother had gone to the kitchen, as she was sure to do bye-and-bye. Four o'clock came and the great business of his day was at hand; it was time to ring the bell, and he had to go. At last when evening came Blasi found his opportunity. He stood watching outside the door, when suddenly Dietrich threw it open, and started off with rapid strides. Blasi called out, "Wait, wait a minute, can't you? What's your hurry?" Dietrich turned about. "What do you want? Tell me quickly. I'm going to meet Veronica; she can't come home alone through the woods after dusk." "Well, look here," said Blasi, breathing hard with his haste, and holding Dietrich by the arm. "You see, I'm in trouble for want of a few francs or so. Can't you lend them to me? I'll give them back again very soon." "I haven't that much about me now. Stop a minute--yes, here are two francs and here's a half; will that be enough?" and throwing the money to Blasi, the young man hastened away.