The schoolteacher looked at the miller, trying to figure out if this was some joke.   But when he realized the miller was in earnest, he thought, “Why not?” and gave his word.  He was no coward, and he didn’t believe in ghosts.  They shook hands on their little contract, and the schoolteacher went whistling home.

His wife was furious when she heard what he’d pledged.  “He’s scared the devil’s going to take him to hell, that’s why he wants you there.   You think it’s all a big joke, but you can’t fool with the devil!”

He laughed if off: “You’ll be happy enough when we can eat the whole year.  Don’t worry about me, I can take care of myself.”

The miller kept his word, and a wagonload of wheaten flour arrived that very evening.  The next day, the house was filled with the smells of baking bread, tarts, and pastries.  When the wife brought out the third loaf of bread, she cut it in four, making a cross in the round loaf as she cut.  But when she laid one of the quarters down on the table, it began to rock as if someone were moving it.

“Dear God!” she cried out to her husband, “come and look at this.  It’s an evil sign if ever I saw one!”

He laughed and told her she was seeing things.  The next moment, there was a knocking on the window and a voice was heard outside:  “The miller’s wife sent me to remind you of your promise.  The old man just died.”

“Go ahead and I’ll be right there,” the schoolteacher called out, thinking, “That was fast” while looking for his walking stick, pipe, and coat.

His wife tried to stop him as he walked out the door.  “I’ll die here of fright,” she pleaded, “if you leave me alone!”

“Don’t be ridiculous and go to sleep.  Nothing is going to happen to me,” he reassured her.  Then he slipped out of her arms and was off to the mill.

The miller’s wife led him to the room where her late husband lay.  He was covered with a white sheet, and candles burned at his head and his feet.  The schoolteacher took the Bible she gave him, sat down, and began to read.  There was a pitcher of beer on the table from which he occasionally took a deep draft.  To give himself strength, he thought.