And a long time he had to wait too, so long indeed that it was necessary to ring again.

Even then there was no response.

Then he rang a third time, and after that he went on ring-ring-ringing for a good half hour.

At last the bellrope remained in his hand and he put it into his pocket that it might testify to the fact that he had been there.

Then, for the first time, he noticed that the shutters were all up--the surest sign that nobody was at home.
Gerzson explained the matter to his own satisfaction by supposing that the whole household was at the races.