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Show 13 Chapter 3 Two dead rats were found on the steps of Market Church the next morning. I learned about it when Father Johann von Lude came to the bakery after mass to speak to Master Hermann. It was too early for Master Hermann to be awake, but I had been up for hours building the fires, raking the ashes, and making the dough for the morning's baking. "I think...perhaps...you should waken your master," the priest told me, his face wearing its usual uncertain expression. "That is, if you think he won't mind, Albert, but this is important...that is, after what he told me about the rats in Magdeburg. Two dead rats this morning...that might mean.... What do you think, Albert? Should we waken your master?" "I will try, Father," I answered, and I knocked on the door which separated the Meinersing house from the bakery. The door was opened by Hilde, Master Hermann's daughter. A shy, sallow girl with dull brown hair and wide gray eyes, she was the same age as I was. Hilde always had a sad look on her face and never spoke to me, or to anyone, unless she had to. "The priest is here to see your father," I told her. "I will see if he is awake," she said to Father Johann, bowing a small curtsy of respect. I could see Hilde hesitate, trying to work up her courage to go to the room where Master Hermann slept. He treated her only half as harshly as he treated me, but that was bad enough. |