to me.  Get a tub and hang it from the rafters in the barn, then put in food and drink for a day.  That will be enough, for the flood will be short.  Break open the gable at the end so that you can sail out, and wait there for the water.”  “But must I be saved alone?” cried the carpenter.  “What of my wife?  What of my servants?” “Your wife I can save,” answered the other, “and myself too; but your servants must perish—­such is the will of heaven.  Now go.  Get three tubs, one for each of us, hang them well apart, and make the other preparations; but be sure of this:—­not one word of what is coming must pass your lips to anyone save your wife.  Such is heaven’s decree.”

Away went the carpenter to tell his wife, and she, though she was in the plot, feigned great fear and wept and wailed, till her husband went off to make his preparations.  He bought three tubs and hung them up high from the rafters, put in each of them bread, meat, and ale, and even made three ladders to climb up by.  Then on the day that Nicholas had named, before it was light, they all three climbed up to their tubs.  Said Nicholas, “Have you a knife by you so that when this water comes you may cut your tub loose and float away?” “I have,” said the carpenter.  “Then from this time on we must keep absolute silence,” said Nicholas.

By and by the carpenter, for all his fear, fell asleep.  As soon as they heard him snoring Nicholas and Alisoun crept down and went to the fair.

In the market-place the waggons on which the plays are acted were already drawn up.  The actors were there in all their finery.  There was Abraham with his rich robe, and Pilate and Herod appeared in their crowns and shining jewels, and roared out their speeches to the delighted audience.  The flames gushed out from “hell’s mouth,” and eerie-looking demons romped and capered, now on the stage, now among the spectators.  The minstrels were there too.  Never was such frivolity.  Alisoun danced with Nicholas, and all the company said they were the best pair there.

At last, long after dusk, they went home.  Just as they drew near the carpenter’s house, Nicholas bethought him of a new dance.  He was so merry that he whirled and capered to show off his steps to Alisoun, quite forgetful of the lighted torch he was carrying, until the flame blew aside in the wind and caught one of Alisoun’s ribbons which began to burn.  “Water, water!” cried the wife.  “Water!” called Nicholas, and others near, thinking that a thatch must be afire, called loudly; “Water, water!”

The din was so loud that it waked the carpenter in his tub, where he had slumbered heavily the whole day through.  Hearing the shout he thought the flood had come at last.  With a cry of fear, he quickly took out his knife and cut through the cords.  Down fell the tub to the floor, with such a crash that the poor old man broke his arm and fainted.

The neighbours all gathered to see what had happened, but the carpenter got no sympathy.  “He is mad!” said Nicholas and Alisoun; “mad with fear of Noah’s flood!” The neighbours laughed as they looked at the tubs.  “What a stupid old man!” they said.  “He must be mad indeed!”