The benches were filled , and Marzinne was about to give the signal , when the door was suddenly thrown open , and an old man came in , wishing the guests a good appetite for their supper . There was a pause , and some of the faces looked a little frightened ; for the new-comer was well known to them as a beggar , who was also said to be a wizard who cast spells over the cattle , and caused the corn to grow black , and old people to die , of what , nobody knew . Still , it was Christmas Eve , and besides it was as well not to offend him , so the farmer invited him in , and gave him a seat at the table and a wooden spoon like the rest . There was not much talk after the beggar 's entrance , and everyone was glad when the meal came to an end , and the beggar asked if he might sleep in the stable , as he should die of cold if he were left outside . Rather unwillingly Marzinne gave him leave , and bade Bernez take the key and unlock the door . There was certainly plenty of room for a dozen beggars , for the only occupants of the stable were an old donkey and a thin ox ; and as the night was bitter , the wizard lay down between them for warmth , with a sack of reeds for a pillow . He had walked far that day , and even wizards get tired sometimes , so in spite of the hard floor he was just dropping off to sleep , when midnight struck from the church tower of Plouhinec . At this sound the donkey raised her head and shook her ears , and turned towards the ox . ` Well , my dear cousin , ' said she , ` and how have you fared since last Christmas Eve , when we had a conversation together ? ' Instead of answering at once , the ox eyed the beggar with a long look of disgust . ` What is the use of talking , ' he replied roughly , ` when a good-for-nothing creature like that can hear all we say ? ' ` Oh , you must n't lose time in grumbling , ' rejoined the donkey gaily , ` and do n't you see that the wizard is asleep ? ' ` His wicked pranks do not make him rich , certainly , ' said the ox , ` and he is n't even clever enough to have found out what a piece of luck might befall him a week hence . ' ` What piece of luck ? ' asked the donkey . ` Why , do n't you know , ' inquired the ox , ` that once very hundred years the stones on Plouhinec heath go down to drink at the river , and that while they are away the treasures underneath them are uncovered ? ' ` Ah , I remember now , ' replied the donkey , ` but the stones return so quickly to their places , that you certainly would be crushed to death unless you have in your hands a bunch of crowsfoot and of five-leaved trefoil . ' ` Yes , but that is not enough , ' said the ox ; ` even supposing you get safely by , the treasure you have brought with you will crumble into dust if you do not give in exchange a baptised soul . It is needful that a Christian should die before you can enjoy the wealth of Plouhinec . ' The donkey was about to ask some further questions , when she suddenly found herself unable to speak : the time allowed them for conversation was over .
` Ah , my dear creatures , ' thought the beggar , who had XXXXX course heard everything , ` you are going to make me richer than the richest men of Vannes or Lorient .
as at besides like of over since so to with