She was so excited that she seemed to have forgotten most of the German she knew, and she mixed it all up with some other language which I did not know at all. I was just able to follow her by asking many questions. When I told her that I must go at once, and that I was engaged on important business, she asked again: "Do you know what day it is?" I answered that it was the fourth of May. She shook her head as she said again:

"Oh, yes! I know that! I know that, but do you know what day it is?"

I told her that I did not understand, so she told me: "It is the eve of St. George's Day. Tonight, when the clock strikes midnight, all the evil things in the world will be released. Do you not know that? Do you know where you are going, and the thing you are going to?" She was in such evident distress that I tried to comfort her, but I could not help her. Finally, she went down on her knees and implored me not to go. She said I should at least wait a day or two before starting my journey.

It was all very ridiculous and I did not feel comfortable. However, there were things which I had to do, and I could allow nothing to interfere. I tried to lift the landlady from her knees. I thanked her for her concern about me, but I had a job I must do and I must go and do it. She then rose and dried her eyes. She took a crucifix from her neck and offered it to me. I did not know what to do, for, as an English Churchman, I have not been taught to carry things like this on with me, and yet it seemed so ungracious to refuse an old lady who wanted to do good and who was so upset.

Vocabulary:

Follow: Understand
Engaged:Busy
Eve: The day before
Distress: Very upset
Implore: Beg
Concern: Taking an interest that something is okay
Ungracious: Not polite