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At that moment Zych who had been dozing, suddenly awakened and began to sing: "Thou Kuba, of toil I Maciek of pleasure, Go then in the morning with the yoke in the field, While I amuse myself with Kasia." Then he said to Zbyszko: "You know? There are two of them, Wilk of Brzozowa and Cztan of Rogow; and you?"
"What surprises me most is, that they wear swords, being wandering seminarists," said Zbyszko. "They are allowed to wear them," said the abbot, "because they have not received orders yet; and there is no occasion for anyone to wonder because I wear a sword even though I am an abbot. A year ago I challenged Wilk of Brzozowa to fight for the forests which you passed; but he did not appear."
'O, Jasko said to the servants, 'those two I will prosecute to the very end. I tell you that there will not be a single peaceful day and some evil might befall the youngster." "Faith. Cztan and Wilk are dog-brothers," said Macko, "although they would not dare lift up their hands against children. Bah! only a Knight of the Cross would do that."
The face of the abbot became still more serene; he struck Zbyszko's shoulder with his hand so hard that the blow resounded in the chamber, and asked: "Why did you not let Cztan or Wilk approach Jagienka at church?" "Because I did not want them to think that I was afraid of them, and I did not want you to think so." "But you gave the holy water to her." "Yes, I did."
"Nobody but you said that she was dead," exclaimed the knight, with anger. "You ought to have held your tongue. I took her with me because I was afraid of Cztan and Wilk." "She might have safely remained at Zgorzelice, and those fellows would have hurt each other. But, you feared, sir, that, in case of Jurandowna's death Jagienka might escape Zbyszko. That is the reason why you took her with you."
Behold, Wilk of Brzozowa, although only a short time before the abbot wanted to fight with his father, sprang to the abbot's stirrups, and helped him to dismount; and the abbot leaned in a friendly manner on the young nobleman's shoulder. "In that way, the abbot will become reconciled with old Wilk," thought Macko, "and he will give the forests and the lands with the girl."
"Neither Lithuania before its conversion to Christianity, nor even the Tartars were such a burden to the Polish kingdom as those devilish monks." "Quite true, but this you also know, they gathered and gathered. It is time now to finish with them." Then the old man spat in his hands, and young Wilk added: "It cannot be otherwise now." "It will come to pass, surely, but when?
They went to church, and having listened devoutly to the mass, they grew more hopeful. They did not lose their temper after mass, when Jagienka again accepted holy water from Zbyszko. In the church-yard they bowed to Zych, to Jagienka and even to the abbot, although he was an enemy of Wilk of Brzozowa.
Both rushed to the font of holy water, plunged their hands in, and then stretched them toward the girl. But Zbyszko did the same, and she touched his fingers; then having made the sign of the cross, she entered the church with him. Then not only young Wilk, but Cztan of Rogow also, notwithstanding his stupidity, understood that this had been done purposely, and both were very angry.
Young Wilk glanced now and then at Macko, which, happily for the guest, contributed to lessen his hatred against him. But he served him, however, so diligently that he became pale from fatigue, because he was wounded and deprived of his wonted strength. The father and son burned with curiosity to know the object of Macko's call. None, however, asked him why, but waited for him to speak.
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