"Temptation! temptation!"

However, when he found that she was urging him too closely, he took a
big stick that he had beneath his cloak and beat her so sorely as to
end her temptation, and that without being recognised by her. Then he
immediately went and returned the robe to the preacher, assuring him
that it had brought him good fortune.

On the morrow, pretending to come from a distance, he returned home and
found his wife in bed, when, as though he knew nothing of her sickness,
he asked her the cause of it; and she replied that it was a catarrh,
and that she could move neither hand nor foot. The husband, who was much
inclined to laugh, made as though he were greatly grieved, and as if
to cheer her told her that he had bidden the saintly preacher to supper
that evening. But she quickly replied--

"God forbid, sweetheart, that you should ever invite such folk. They
bring misfortune into every house they visit."

"Why, sweet," said the husband, "how is this? You have always greatly
praised this man, and for my own part I believe that if there be a holy
man on earth, it is he."

"They are good in church and when preaching," answered the lady, "but in
our houses they are very antichrists. I pray you, sweet, let me not see
him, for with my present sickness it would be enough to kill me."

"Since you do not wish to see him," returned the husband, "you shall not
do so, but I must have him here to supper."