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A shudder of remorse seized the latter, he guessed who the man and child were that had been found, frozen to death. He explained to the crowd what Maciek had told him. When he had finished, the men turned away, the women groaned, the Jews spat on the ground; only Jasiek, the son of the rich peasant Gryb, lighted an expensive cigar and smiled.
This much is sure, that he knew with precision the changes of the weather, and could guess them oftener than the farmer’s almanac. It is no marvel then that, whether it was a question of beginning the sowing, or of sending out the river barges, or of reaping the grain; whether it was a matter of going to law, or of concluding a compromise, nothing was done in Dobrzyn without the advice of Maciek.
And I beg you all, kind gentlemen, follow me: my Sarah has given birth to a little Jankiel, and to-day I treat the crowd; and the music is splendid! I will order bagpipes, a bass viol, and two fiddles; and Pan Maciek, my friend, likes old July mead and a new mazurka. I have new mazurkas, and I have taught my kids to sing just fine.”
If I were alone I could get along. Maciek came in, and not being aware of Zoska's presence, started on seeing a crouching form on the floor. 'What do you want? he asked. 'I thought Slimak might take me on, but he doesn't want me with the child. 'Oh Lord! sighed the man, moved by the sight of poverty greater than his own.
'Why, Maciek, that sounds as if you had a bad conscience, said the gospodyni disagreeably. 'It makes one feel bad, to see such wretchedness, he murmured. 'The man whose fault it is would feel it most! 'It isn't my fault, but I'm sorry for them all the same. 'Why don't you take the child, then, if you are so sorry? sneered Slimakowa, 'you'll give him the child, Zoska, won't you? Is it a boy?
The cow, scenting mischief, would not go; first she turned back to the cowshed and was dragged towards the highroad, then she lowed so miserably that Maciek went pale and Magda was heard to sob loudly: the gospodyni would not look out of the window.
He might give mine to Maciek and take the squire's for himself, but he would never give his own away. Let it be as God has ordered. 'Did God give the land to the squire? 'God has ordered that there should not be equality in the world. A pine is tall, a hazel is low, the grass is still lower. Look at sensible dogs.
'Oh, you, Maciek, you will stay, said Slimakowa, 'there must be some one to look after the horses, and if we don't give you your wages one year, you'll get them the next, but we can't do that to Magda, she is young. 'That's true, said Maciek on reflection, 'and it's kind of you to think of the girl first.
Maciek had long ago finished the spring-work in the fields; the Jews had left the village, carrying their business farther afield, following the new railway line now under construction, and no one sent for him from the manor for there was no manor. He smoked, strolled about for days together in the yard, or looked at the abundantly sprouting corn.
Slimakowa and Magda helped in the early morning and in the afternoon. On the first day, while the five were working together, and had reached the top of the hill, Magda noticed some men showing against the dark background of the wood, and drew Slimakowa's attention to them. They all stopped work and looked. 'They must be peasants, Maciek said; 'they are wearing white smocks.
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