Part 3 (2/2)
But since he was stern to himself and to others, and would not shed tears before strangers, and could not endure paltry pity from any man, he would not speak longer of his misfortunes, and fell to inquiring of his host how he lived in that forest inheritance.
”Here,” said Pan Serafin, ”is stillness, oh, stillness! When the forest is not sounding, and the wolves are not howling, thou canst almost hear snow fall. There is calmness, there is fire in the chimney and a pitcher of heated wine in the evening--old age needs nothing further.”
”True. But your son?”
”A young bird leaves the nest sometimes. And here certain trees whisper that a great war with the pagan is approaching.”
”To that war even gray falcons will hasten. Were it not for this, I should fly with the others.”
Here Pan Gideon shook his coat sleeve, in which there was only a bit of his arm near the shoulder.
And Pan Serafin poured out heated wine to him.
”To the success of Christian weapons!”
”G.o.d grant it! Drink to the bottom.”
Stanislav entertained at the same time Pani Vinnitski, Panna Anulka, and the four Bukoyemskis with a pitcher of wine which steamed quite as actively as the other. The ladies touched the gla.s.ses however with their lips very sparingly, but the Bukoyemskis needed no urging, hence the world seemed to them more joyous each moment, and Panna Anulka more beautiful, so, unable to find words to express their delight, they began to look at one another with amazement and panting; then each nudged another with his elbow. Mateush at last found expression,--
”We are not to wonder that the wolves wished to try the bones and the body of this lady, for even a wild beast knows a real tid-bit!”
Marek, Lukash, and Yan, the three remaining Bukoyemskis slapped their thighs then in ecstasy.
”He has. .h.i.t the nail on the head, he has! A tid-bit! Nothing short of it!”
”A Saint Martin's cake!”
On hearing this Panna Anulka laid one hand on the other, and, feigning terror, said to Stanislav,--
”Oh, help me, for I see that these gentlemen only saved me from the wolves to eat me themselves.”
”Gracious maiden,” said Stanislav, joyfully, ”Pan Mateush said that we were not to wonder at the wolves, but I say I do not wonder at the Bukoyemskis.”
”What shall I do then, except to ask who will save me?”
”Trifle not with sacred subjects!” cried Pani Vinnitski.
”Well, but these gentlemen are ready to eat me and also auntie. Are they not?”
This question remained for some time without answer. Moreover, it was easy to note from the faces of the brothers that they had much less desire for the additional eating. But Lukash, who had quicker wit than his brothers, now added, ”Let Mateush speak; he is the eldest.”
Mateush was somewhat bothered, and answered, ”Who knows what will meet him to-morrow?”
”A good remark,” said Stanislav, ”but to what do you apply it?”
”How to what?”
”Why, nothing. I only ask, why mention to-morrow?”
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