Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/171

Rh laughs in the swamps, and even in houses; though the priests scold, it is better always to put out a plate of food for the imps, or they will scrape on the wall so that thou wilt not close an eye— Yagenka! put out a plate on the threshold, daughter."

Yagenka took an earthen plate full of paste with cheese and put it on the threshold.

"The priests blame and punish!" said Zyh. "But the glory of the Lord Jesus will not be decreased by some paste; and when satisfied and well-wishing, the imps will guard a man from fire, and from evil-doers."

"Thou mightst ungirdle and sing something," said he, turning to Zbyshko.

"Sing you, for I see that you have the wish this long time; but perhaps Panna Yagenka would sing?"

"We will sing in turn," cried Zyh, rejoiced. "There is a lad in the house too who plays on a wooden flute and accompanies us. Call him!"

They called the lad, who took his seat on a block, put the flute to his mouth, spread his fingers over it, and looked at those present, waiting to see whom he was to accompany.

They began to dispute then, for none wished to be first. Finally Zyh commanded Yagenka to set an example; Yagenka, though greatly abashed before Zbyshko, rose from the bench, put her hands under her apron, and began,—

Zbyshko opened his eyes widely to begin with, then sprang to his feet and cried in a loud voice,—

"Whence do you know that?"

Yagenka looked at him with astonishment.

"But all sing it here. What wonder to you?"

Zyh, who thought that Zbyshko had drunk a little too much, turned to him with delighted face, and said,—

"Ungirdle thyself! It will be easier right away."

Zbyshko stood for a while with changing face, then mastering his emotion he said to Yagenka,—

"Pardon me. I remembered something unexpectedly. Sing on."

"Maybe it makes you sad to listen?"

"Ei, why?" asked he, with a quivering voice. "I could listen all night to that song."