It was late evening, the sun was starting to set already. Joseph calculated that they had at most an hour left of daylight, so he decided to call it a day and tell little Matthias to go inside and eat his supper.

"Lad!“, Joseph hoarsely called out to the sweaty orphan carrying hales of bay.

The blonde lad looked up "Yeah, mister Smith?", Matthias asked immediately.

"Go put some coals in the stove and light it, then get yourself upstairs and take a shower, you've earned today's meal", Joseph instructed in a detached tone to the hardworking lad.

"Yessir!", Matthias eagerly replied and hastily ran into the farmhouse.

Joseph sat on a stool and watched as Matthias busily carried out his orders. Then, he decided to head back in. Before long, they were both finishing their beef stew.

"You know lad, you could lie down on the bed and get some rest, you look wearied."

Matthias looked at him gratefully. "I would like that very much, thank you sir."

Joseph stood up and motioned for Matthias to follow him.

They entered a small room with a bed and little else.

"You see this room, lad? You can sleep on this bed from now on"

Matthias looked surprised to hear this, but nevertheless smiled gratefully.

"I've seen you working, lad, no one works as hard as you do. You deserve a roof", Joseph remarked absentmindedly, then he caught himself and sternly added. "But don't let it get to your head! You keep pleasing me, and I keep rewarding you. That's it"

Matthias smiled nervously and slowly walked towards the bed. "I... uh... thank you, sir", he muttered, looking at the soft bed he had been given.

"Hmmph" Joseph kicked off his boots and took off his shirt. It was time for the lad to keep working hard for his master.

"Get in."