Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/165

Rh "We are firm fellows. There are no comforts yet, of course, but there is no hunger either. I have commanded to kill an ox and two sheep; there is meat enough. The women have brought in too some flour and eggs, but that is not much with us, the greatest lack is utensils."

"Well, I have had two wagons filled. In one of them are two beds, and cooking utensils; in the other, food of various kinds. There are cakes and flour, salt meat, dried mushrooms, a small keg of beer, another of mead; there is a little of everything that we have in the house."

Matsko, always pleased with every addition, stretched out his hand and stroked Yagenka's head.

"God repay thee, and thy father. When we begin to manage we will return this."

"God prosper you! But are we Germans, to take back what we give?"

"Well, then God will pay thee and thy father still more. Thy father told what a housekeeper thou art. Thou hast managed all thy father's place for a twelvemonth."

"Yes! And when you want something more send a man, but one who knows what is needed, for at times a dull servant comes who knows not what he was sent for."

Here Yagenka began to look around somewhat. Matsko, noting this, smiled, and asked,—

"For whom art thou looking?"

"I am not looking for any one!"

"I will send Zbyshko; let him thank thee and Zyh for me. Has Zbyshko pleased thee?"

"But I have not looked at him."

"Then look at him now, for he is just coming."

Indeed Zbyshko was coming from watering animals, and seeing Yagenka he hastened his step. He wore an elkskin coat and a round felt cap such as was used under helmets, his hair was without a net, cut evenly above his brows, and at the sides it fell in golden waves to his shoulders. He approached quickly, large, comely, exactly like an armor-bearer of a great house.

Yagenka turned entirely to Matsko to show that she had come only to him, but Zbyshko greeted her joyously, and taking her hand raised it to his lips in spite of the girl's resistance.

"Why kiss me on the hand?" inquired she. "Am I a priest?"

"Resist not! Such is the custom!"