II.
Jonek was the chief groomsman at the wedding of Sophy with Linnet. He was dressed in richer clothes than any one else present, and he gave plenty of money to the musicians. From that day he took the lead in the public-houses; often treated the whole village, and every holiday time paid the musicians like a gentleman. Sometimes he would play on the willow pipe, and all who heard it would dance joyfully the whole night through.
But Jonek was not satisfied with being rich. He wished to know what would happen to him in the future. He took the fern-flower from his pocket, and said to it,—
"Tell me, show me, oh flower!
What will become of thy Jonek?"
And he heard a voice from underground, saying in reply,—
"Thou wilt be hanged:
Thy legs, cold and stifle, will shake in the wind."
"Confound it!" cried Jonek angrily, "I shall not be hanged, for I have done nothing to deserve it." And he laughed at the idea; but at night, though half tipsy, he could not sleep for fear.
