His fingers were deft and his knife was sharp; and by midsun he had turned his sixth basket, which was fair work, considering.
As Hoffman did not feed his employees, Dietrich was obliged to beg from his co-workers.

Very willingly they shared with him their coarse bread and onions.

He ate the bread and stuffed the onions in his pocket.

There was no idling.

As soon as the frugal meal was over, the peasants trooped away to their respective terraces.