On the night of the 14th, the baby was fractious, and the cook, Maria, danced and played the harmonica to divert her.

The baby fell asleep, the wife and Mr.Shchapoff's miller's lady were engaged in conversation, when a shadow crossed the blind on the outside.

They were about to go out and see who was passing, when they heard a double shuffle being executed with energy in the loft overhead.

They thought Maria, the cook, was making a night of it, but found her asleep in the kitchen.
The dancing went on but nobody could be found in the loft.

Then raps began on the window panes, and so the miller and gardener patrolled outside.