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Updated: June 1, 2025
Slimakowa and Jendrek now came out of the cottage and joined the group at the gate. 'What a strong dog! cried Jendrek. 'Look here, said Slimak, 'this lady has dragged her lame father a long way in the cart; would you do that, you scamp? 'Why should I? Haven't they any horses, dad? 'We have had horses, murmured the man in the cart, 'but we haven't any now.
Then Slimakowa hired a woman by way of an experiment for half a year to help her with the work. Sobieska stayed for nine months, then one night she escaped to the village, her longing for the public-house having become too strong. Her place was taken by 'Silly Zoska' for another six months. Slimakowa was always hoping that the work would grow less, and she would be able to dispense with a servant.
Slimakowa would not look at him, and Slimak said: 'You are hopeless, Maciek, you'll never get on, for the devil always leads you into bad company. So it happened that Maciek went without new boots, but a few weeks later he acquired a possession he had never dreamt of. It was a rainy September evening; the more the day declined, the heavier became the layers of clouds.
Slimak peeped through the open window from time to time, but he was unable to bear the sight of his child's pale face. The schoolmaster stripped the wet clothes off the little body and slowly raised and lowered his arms. There was silence while the others watched him, until Slimakowa, unable to contain herself any longer, pulled her hair down and then struck her head against the wall.
Where will you go on a bitter night like this? Hamer's mastiffs were beginning to growl. Slimakowa hung on her husband's arm. 'Come home, come home, she urged stubbornly, 'I will not die in a strange house, I am a gospodyni, I will not stay here with the Swabians. The priests would not even sprinkle holy water on my coffin.
I will serve you for old clothes and patched boots, so long as I have a shelter for the winter. Here Maciek paused, astonished at himself for having said so much, for he was silent by nature. Slimakowa looked him up and down, gave him a bowl of barszcz and another of potatoes, and told him to wash in the river.
Slimakowa was lying there peacefully; two faint beams of light were reflected from the eyes which had not yet been closed. A sledge stopped at the gate and Gryb came into the yard; his grey head shook and his yellowish eyes moved uneasily. He was followed by his man, who was carrying a large basket. 'I am to blame, he cried, striking his chest, 'are you still angry with me?
At last he cried: 'Jendrek, stop cutting; run and find out what they are doing, and if they are really measuring for a new land-distribution. Jendrek was off in a moment, and had soon reached the men. He forgot to come back. The little party watched him talk to the men for a few moments, and then becoming busy with the poles. 'I say! cried Slimakowa, 'he is quite one of the party!
'Well, God repay you! 'God speed you, said Slimak and his wife. 'Strange folk, those Germans, he said, when they had slowly moved off. 'He is a clever man, yet he goes about in that little cart like an old beggar. 'And the girl! said Slimakowa, 'whoever heard of dragging an old man about, as if you were a horse. 'They're not bad, said Slimak, returning to his cottage.
'The devil will help you, you low scoundrel, said Slimak, and turned away. 'And leave your box, added Jendrek. 'He has paid us out for our kindness, whimpered Slimakowa, wiping her eyes. They went into the house. Not one of them had a kind glance to spare for Maciek, although he was leaving them forever.
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