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He went for his last drive with the child on his knees, his head resting against the rail, and his face turned upwards, as though he had done with human reckoning and was recounting his wrongs to his Creator. When the mournful procession stopped, a small crowd of peasants, women, and Jews gathered in front of the Wojt's office. The Wojt, his clerk, and Grochowski were standing together.

Take her! let the orphan starve, so long as you, my brother, get a prime cow. Slimate beat a tattoo on the table. 'Am I to cheat the orphan? I won't; I'll give you thirty-five.... 'What are you doing, you fool? his wife interrupted him. 'Yes, don't be foolish, Grochowski supported her. 'You have entertained me so finely that I'll give you the cow for thirty-three roubles.

Was it not he who had driven him to the recruiting-office when it was the time for the drawing of lots? who had ordered him to be taken to the hospital and told him he would come out completely cured? who collected the taxes and carried the largest banner at the processions and intoned 'Let us praise the Holy Virgin'? And now he, Maciek Owczarz, was sitting under one roof with this same Grochowski.

Near the church the tracks became confused and, what was worse, divided. Kasztan had been ridden to the right and Wojtek to the left. After reflecting for a moment, Maciek followed the latter track, possibly because it was clearer, but most likely because he loved that little horse the best. About noon he found himself near the village where Magda's uncle, the Soltys Grochowski, lived.

The Wojt is a pig...you are more to me than the Wojt or even the Government Inspector, for you are cleverer than they are...devil take me! They fell on each other's shoulders and Grochowski wept. 'Josef, brother,...don't call me Soltys but brother...for we are brothers! 'Wojciek...Soltys...say how much you want for the cow.

'What do you propose to do now? asked old Gryb between his blows. 'I'll mend my ways....'I'll marry Orzchewski's daughter, wailed Jasiek. 'Perhaps this is not quite the moment for that, said Grochowski, 'first you will go to prison. 'You don't mean to charge him? asked his father. 'I should prefer not to charge him, but the whole neighbourhood is indignant about the robberies.

I'll give it you, I'll rip myself open to give it you...thirty-five paper roubles and a silver rouble. 'Oh dear, oh dear! wailed the gospodyni. 'Weren't you letting the cow go for thirty-three roubles just now, Soltys? Grochowski raised his tearful eyes first to her, then to Slimak. 'Was I?... Josef...brother...I'll give you the cow for thirty-three roubles.

He felt the liquor going to his head and fancied himself sitting by the Soltys and embracing him. The fumes of the vodka and the lamp were filling the room. Slimak and Grochowski moved closer together. 'Neighbour...Soltys, said Slimak, striking the table again. 'I'll give you whatever you wish, your word is worth more than money to me, for you are the cleverest man in the parish.

'Very well, then I will take what fodder there is and your horses may go to the devil; but I won't let that cow go, I will buy her! 'Then buy her. 'Yes, I will buy her, but you have got to do the bargaining with Grochowski; I haven't the time, and I won't drink vodka with him. 'Drink! bargain with him! you are mad about that cow! The quick-tempered woman shook her fist in his face.

Amen! that's my last word. 'I won't! shouted Slimak. 'Am I a Jew that I should be paid for hospitality? 'Josef! his wife said warningly. 'Go away, woman! he cried, getting up with difficulty; 'I'll teach you to mix yourself up in my affairs. He suddenly fell into the embrace of the weeping Grochowski. 'Thirty-five.... 'Thirty-three... sobbed the Soltys; 'may I not burn in hell!