The mother, shifting the rod resting on her shoulders, with a pail suspended from either end of it, watched the man from the corner of her eye.

She divined that he was a spy.
A tall, curly-headed fellow with his hat thrown back over his neck, cried to the guardsmen who searched him: "Search the head and not the pockets, you devils!" "There is nothing but lice on your head," retorted one of the guardsmen.
"Catching lice is an occupation more suited to you than hunting human game!" rejoined the workman.

The spy scanned him with a rapid glance.
"Will you let me in ?" asked the mother.

"See, I'm bent double with my heavy load.

My back is almost breaking." "Go in! Go in!" cried the guard sullenly.