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'Buy that field, he said, quite out of breath; 'my brother-in-law would still consent if you asked him. In an instant Slimak's distrust returned. 'No, sir; it wouldn't be fair. 'Cattle! murmured the democrat, and turned his back. The bargain had disappeared.
And here, you see, all of us in the village are sending you some victuals. Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Grochowski. 'I wouldn't believe Jonah, when he came to tell me all this, he said, 'and you here, Gryb, too? Where is the defunct? They approached to the stable and knelt down in the snow. Only the murmuring of their prayers and Slimak's sobs were audible for a while.
'I feel awkward, sir, standing before you with my cap on, he said. 'Oh, hang hereditary social differences! exclaimed the young man, snatching the cap from Slimak's hands and putting it on his head. 'Hang it all! thought the peasant, unable to follow the democrat's intentions. 'What are you going to the manor for? asked the latter. 'Have you come on business with my brother-in-law?
'God give you all that you desire, said Slimak, bowing low, 'you are coming to me in my time of trouble. This humility pleased the old peasant; he grasped Slimak's hand and said in a more natural voice: 'I tell you, I am to blame, for his Reverence told me to say that. Therefore I am the first to make it up with you, although I am the elder. But I must say, neighbour, you did annoy me very much.
'Be careful, sir, he recommended, 'once robbery begins in the village it will be difficult to stop it. And in case of accident you will do well to let me know first before you do anything. He said this so impressively that the agent henceforward took the two Jews from the manor-house to sleep in the bailiff's cottage. Slimak's gospodarstwo was the sergeant's next destination.
They walked and drove in crowds along the road past Slimak's cottage; sometimes they marched in detachments like soldiers. They were quartered at the manor, where they turned out the servants and the remaining cattle: they occupied every corner. At night they lit great fires in the courtyard, and in the morning they all walked off to the woods.
The younger man had turned away indifferently during Slimak's long speech and whistled, the older man shook his fist impatiently. 'But we want to buy it...pay for it...cash! Sixty roubles an acre. 'And I wouldn't sell it for a hundred, said Slimak. 'Perhaps we could come to terms, gospodarz. The peasant burst out laughing.
The wind was not threatening in vain. In Slimak's father's time ten korzy of sheaves an acre had been harvested here. Now he had to be thankful for seven, and what was going to happen in the future? 'That's a peasant's lot, murmured Slimak, 'work, work, work, and from one difficulty you get into another.
'And if you will kindly take off three roubles, Jendrek added quickly. Slimak's blood ran cold; the squire exchanged glances with his wife. 'What does that mean? he asked. 'From what am I to take off three roubles? Involuntarily Slimak's hand reached for his belt, but he recollected himself; he made up his mind in despair to tell the truth.
'Take a good pull, he said, pouring out the mead. 'I dare not, your Reverence. 'Well, then I will drink to you. He touched the glass with his lips. The peasant took the glass with trembling hands and drank kneeling, swallowing with difficulty. 'Don't you like it? 'Like it? vodka is nothing compared to this! Slimak's voice sounded natural again.
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