DANISH FAIRY AND FOLK TALES
once a beautiful mansion, take it away with you, and use the money with care and caution."
When they returned to the room above, the merchant said: "I do not understand why you were doomed to such work as shaving people."
"Do you not understand," replied the ghost, "that I had been shaved by all my friends, and that I was now obliged to do the same? That was my penalty for living a life without aim and goal; but now I am free."
The young man mused for a moment, and said: "But was the money not all your own? Did you not have a right to use it as you pleased?"
The ghost answered, gravely: "No, it was not. I held it in trust, as every wealthy man does. The day will come when we shall account for all that we have said and done, and for the manner in which we spent the money which God intrusted to our care!"
Every word fell heavily upon the mind of the young man. He plunged into a deep revery, from which he did not awake until the daylight had found its way through the green, narrow windows. Lifting his head, he noticed that the landlord stood in the open door, gazing at him with a wicked expression of joy in his small, deep set eyes.
"I see that the man with the red mantle has paid you a visit," said he, blinking maliciously at his guest.
"Yes," replied the merchant, "and he proved to be an excellent man. We talked a great deal of people whom we both know, and of you, too."
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