-'

'MY cock and MY basket!' interrupted he. 'And, if you are too
deaf and too stupid to understand what that means, I have got
something which may help to teach you.' And opening the bag, he
cried: 'Flack, flick, switch, be quick.'

And flack! flick! like lightening a white switch sprang out of
the bag, and gave such hearty blows to the innkeeper and his
wife, and to Father Grumbler into the bargain, that they all
jumped as high as feathers when a mattress is shaken.

'Stop! stop! make it stop, and you shall have back your cock and
basket,' cried the man and his wife. And Father Grumbler, who
had no wish to go on, called out between his hops: 'Stop then,
can't you? That is enough for to-day!'

But the switch paid no attention, and dealt out its blows as
before, and MIGHT have been dealing them to this day, if the Holy
Man had not heard their cries and come to the rescue. 'Into the
bag, quick!' said he, and the switch obeyed.

'Now go and fetch me the cock and the basket,' and the woman went
without a word, and placed them on the table.

'You have all got what you deserved,' continued the Holy Man,
'and I have no pity for any of you. I shall take my treasures
home, and perhaps some day I may find a man who knows how to make
the best of the chances that are given to him. But that will
never be YOU,' he added, turning to Father Grumbler.