“It’s a big, clanking, tractor-driven contraption,” said the baron, “really quite interesting to watch. I still find myself fascinated with it.”

“What does it do?”

“It cuts the tall stalks of grass, then separates the grain from its heads, holding it in a compartment inside, and then spews the stalks of grass back onto the ground to be gathered and baled and used for the animals.”

“I’d love to see it work.”

“Maybe you can come back for one of our harvests sometime.”

“And the straw-baling machine too!” said Sabina. “That’s what I like best—stacking the bales and bringing them into the barn for the cattle.”

“What did my wife tell you, Matthew?” laughed the baron. “Once the harvest gets underway, Sabina’s there for every hour of it. She’s getting to be as good as any two of my men!”

“Oh, Papa!”

“Unfortunately your father will be here later this afternoon. We’ll hate to see you go,” said the baron.

“You’ve all been so nice to me. I’ve enjoyed myself in spite of the broken leg.”

“And in spite of ghosts in the night?”

Now Matthew laughed. “Yeah. In fact, are you still going to take me to visit the old servant woman,” he asked, turning to Sabina, “so that I can hear the real tales instead of my own dreams?”

“We’re not going to be able to, Matthew,” said Sabina. “Eppie had a bad night. She woke this morning saying she’d been out for a long walk and was too tired to move.”

Matthew shuddered involuntarily, but tried to keep his composure.

“Whatever the cause,” added the baron, “she was in a weak and excitable state this morning. Doctor Abrahams is with her now and has prescribed a sedative. Eppie is prone to fits when her mind wanders. At such times we have to watch her closely.”

“That is too bad. I’m sorry to hear it.”

“You’ll have to visit us again!”

“Yes, do!” added Sabina. “You simply have to hear the stories from old Eppie’s own lips.”

“Well, if I can’t meet Eppie, I will at least have one more good tour around your garden before I go,” said Matthew. “I want to know it well enough so that I could not get lost.”

“It is entirely at your disposal,” rejoined the baron. “Nothing could please me more!”

Sabina rose. “Of course, you can go to the garden anytime you want to, Matthew. But I have some things to do this morning, so if you’d like I’ll go for a walk with you right after lunch.”

“Great!” he replied, and Sabina walked from the room.

Forty minutes later, Matthew hobbled back down the corridor toward the courtyard parlor and the room where he was staying. He went inside, sat down, and began to read.