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Updated: May 25, 2025
Jendrek slowly walked home, puzzled and sad. When he returned to the cottage, he found Stasiek lying ill. He told his father what Gryb had said. 'He's an old fool, replied Slimak. 'What! should a man stand like a beast when others are praying, even if they are Swabians? 'But their praying has bewitched Stasiek. Slimak looked gloomy. 'Why should it have been their prayers?
The gospodyni thought of it when she saw the milk get less in the pails, Magda had forebodings and caressed the cows in turns, Maciek, when unobserved, even deprived the horses of a handful of hay, and Slimak would stand in front of the cowshed and sigh.
'Our luck has come, said Slimakowa, 'and I must certainly buy a silk kerchief, or else no one in the village will believe that we have made so much money. 'I don't quite like it that the new carriages will go without horses, said Slimak; 'but that can't be helped.
Maciek sank down in the open door, unable to stand any longer. 'The devil has got him too, he isn't like himself, something has fallen on him, said Slimak. 'And may he keep it till he dies,'cried the woman, 'here he is sleeping in the stable and lets the horses be stolen. May the ground spit him out!
'Ah, that freak! said Slimak, scrutinizing him with his head on one side; 'he'll bring me bad luck about the field. 'He has a splendid gun, cried Jendrek; 'but what is he shooting? There's nothing but sparrows here. 'Perhaps he is shooting at us? suggested Stasiek timidly. 'Why should he be shooting at us? his father reassured him; 'shooting at people isn't allowed.
'A girl, whispered Zoska, with her eyes fixed on Maciek, 'she is two years old... yes, he can have her, if he likes. 'She'd be a deal of trouble to me, muttered the labourer, 'all the same, it's a pity. 'Take her, repeated Zoska, 'Slimak is rich, you are rich.... 'Oh yes, Maciek is rich, laughed Slimakowa, 'he drinks through six roubles in one Sunday.
Slowly and with difficulty, but concealing nothing, Maciek told his story. 'Of course they gave me some filthy stuff, and then they made off with the horses, he added, sobbing. But instead of taking pity on him, Slimak burst out afresh: 'What? you took drink from strangers and never told me anything about it?
But there they were again, and each step of their lean horses brought them nearer. The sun was gilding the hill which they were ascending, and the larks were singing brightly to welcome them. Across the valley the church bell was ringing. Was it calling to prayers as usual, or did it warn the people of the invasion of a foreign power? Slimak looked towards the village.
At that moment Slimakowa tapped at the window. 'Josef, come quick, something has happened to the new cow, she's staggering. Slimak let go of Jendrek and ran to the cowshed. The three cows were standing quietly chewing the cud. 'It has passed off, said the woman; 'but I tell you a minute ago she was staggering worse than you did yesterday.
Slimak stood rooted to the spot, pondering upon this queer fish, who first was impertinent to his wife, then called her 'Madam', and himself 'Citizen', and praised Jendrek for his cheek. He returned angrily to his horses. 'Woa, lads! what's the world coming to? A peasant's son won't take off his cap to a gentleman, and the gentleman praises him for it!
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