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Indeed, he was unable to distinguish between himself and his fellow-creature, and he felt as if he himself were lying on the straw beside his dead wife and must rouse himself at all costs. He went as fast as his old legs would carry him straight to Grochowski; by the time he arrived it was dark. He knocked, but received no answer, waited for a quarter of an hour and then walked round the house.
Grochowski was seized with shuddering again. 'It was not so much that Slimak drove him away, but that he himself was anxious to go, he said quickly, 'he wanted to track the thieves; here he gave a quick glance at Jasiek, who returned it insolently, and observed that horse-thieves were sharp, and more people might meet their death in tracking them.
'Not quite, said Grochowski, 'but he did steal Slimak's. 'What? cried Gryb, and began to lay on to his son again. 'I did, father. Leave off! wailed Jasiek. 'My God, how did this come about? asked the old man. 'That's simple enough, sneered Grochowski, 'he found others as bad as himself, and they robbed the whole neighbourhood, till I winged him.
One evening old Sobieska turned up again. She was suffering from rheumatism, and required treatment with a 'thimbleful' of vodka which loosened her tongue. 'It was like this, she began: 'Gryb and Lukasiak went with Grochowski, all three dressed as for a Corpus Christi procession. The squire received them in the bailiff's office, and Gryb cleared his throat and went for it.
'Because I owe him a hundred roubles. 'Oh Lord! groaned Gryb, tearing his hair. 'Well, that's nothing to tear your hair about, said Grochowski. 'Come; three hundred and thirty roubles between Slimak, Josel, and me; what is that to you? 'I won't pay it. 'All right! In that case he will go to prison. Come along. He took the youth by the arm. 'Dad, have pity, I am your only son!
Yet she listened without fear or regret, only with dim gratitude, mingled with recollections of her childhood. The door opened and Slimak said: 'The Lord be praised. 'In all eternity, answered Grochowski. When he stood up, his head nearly touched the ceiling. 'May God repay you, Soltys, for coming to us, said Slimak, shaking his hand. 'May God repay you for your kindness in receiving me.
'Why! said Grochowski, 'they don't even pray to the Blessed Mother. The gospodyni crossed herself. 'It's odd that the Merciful God should bless such people with prosperity. Drink, neighbour! 'To your health! Why should God not bless them, when they have a lot of cattle? That's at the bottom of all prosperity. Slimak became pensive and suddenly struck his fist on the table.
'Josef, his wife said, 'you must respect your guest; he is older than you, and he is Soltys. Maciek, help me to get them into the barn. 'I'll go by myself, roared Slimak. 'Thirty-three roubles... groaned Grochowski, 'chop me to bits, but I won't take a grosz more.... I am a Judas.... I wanted to cheat you.
The squire, the priest, the Wojt, his wife were all sent from God. He used to say: 'A peasant is in the world to carry out orders. The sun was sinking behind the hill crest when he drove his horses on to the highroad, and he was pondering on how he would begin his bargaining with Grochowski when he heard a guttural voice behind him, 'Heh! heh!
Do you know that his house is burnt down, his wife is dead, and he is lying beside her, out of his wits? He talks as if he had a filthy idea in his head, and he hasn't even watered the cows. 'Listen, Jew, said Grochowski fiercely, 'who told you to come here and lie to me? is it those horse-stealers? 'What horse-stealers? I've come straight from Slimak.... 'Lies!
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