Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/186

162 "Still you wish no injustice to us."

"Mochydoly will go with Yagenka," said Zyh, evasively.

"Right away?"

"Right away. I would not give it to another, but I will to her."

"As things stand, half Bogdanets is Zbyshko's, and if God grant health I will work for him, as is proper. Do you like Zbyshko?"

At this Zyh began to blink, and said,—

"The worst is that, when Zbyshko is mentioned, Yagenka turns to the wall that moment."

"And when you mention others?"

"When I mention another she just flies up, and says: 'What?'"

"Well now, do you see? God grant that with such a girl Zbyshko will forget the other. I am old, and I too would forget. Will you drink some mead?"

"I will drink some."

"Well, the abbot there is a wise man for you! Among abbots there are, as you know, laymen; but this abbot, though he does not live among monks, is a priest, and a priest always gives better counsel than a common man, for he understands reading, and he is near the Holy Ghost. But you will give the girl Mochydoly immediately—that is right. And I, if the Lord Jesus give me health, will entice his people away from Vilk of Brozova as far as I am able. I will give good land by lot to each man, for in Bogdanets there is no lack of land. Let them bow down to Vilk on Christmas and then come to me. Are they not free to do so? In time I will build a castle, a nice castle, oak with a moat around it. Let Zbyshko and Yagenka go hunting together now—I think that we shall not wait long for snow. Let them grow accustomed to each other, and the boy will forget that first one. Let them go together. Why talk long over this? Would you give him Yagenka, or would you not?"

"I would give her. Besides, we have long ago arranged that one was for the other, and that Mochydoly and Bogdanets would be for our grandchildren."

"Hail!" cried Matsko, with delight. "God grant them to come like hail! The abbot will christen them."

"If he would come!" cried Zyh, joyously. "But it is long since I have seen you so delighted."

"I am pleased at heart. The splinter has come out; but