Theoldwomannoddedherhead，andputthesackontheboy’sback，andtheywentdownthestreettogether，theoldwomanquiteforgettingtoaskMartintopayfortheapple。Martinstoodandwatchedthemastheywentalongtalkingtoeachother。
WhentheywereoutofsightMartinwentbacktothehouse。Havingfoundhisspectaclesunbrokenonthesteps，hepickeduphisawlandsatdownagaintowork。Heworkedalittle，butcouldsoonnotseetopassthebristlethroughtheholesintheleather；andpresentlyhenoticedthelamplighterpassingonhiswaytolightthestreetlamps。
’Seemsit’stimetolightup，’thoughthe。Sohetrimmedhislamp，hungitup，andsatdownagaintowork。Hefinishedoffonebootand，turningitabout，examinedit。Itwasallright。Thenhegatheredhistoolstogether，sweptupthecuttings，putawaythebristlesandthethreadandtheawls，and，takingdownthelamp，placeditonthetable。ThenhetooktheGospelsfromtheshelf。Hemeanttoopenthemattheplacehehadmarkedthedaybeforewithabitofmorocco，butthebookopenedatanotherplace。AsMartinopenedit，hisyesterday’sdreamcamebacktohismind，andnosoonerhadhethoughtofitthanheseemedtohearfootsteps，asthoughsomeoneweremovingbehindhim。Martinturnedround，anditseemedtohimasifpeoplewerestandinginthedarkcorner，buthecouldnotmakeoutwhotheywere。Andavoicewhisperedinhisear:’Martin，Martin，don’tyouknowme？’
’Whoisit？’mutteredMartin。
’ItisI，’saidthevoice。AndoutofthedarkcornersteppedStepá；nitch，whosmiledandvanishinglikeacloudwasseennomore。