Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/196

172 hast wit I admire thee. Tell me how to entertain the abbot best, and how to please him when he comes hither."

"As to eating, he will tell himself what he relishes. He likes to eat well, but if there is plenty of saffron it will not hurt!"

When he heard this Matsko seized his head.

"Where shall I find saffron for him?"

"I have brought some," said Yagenka.

"God grant that such girls be born on stones!" cried Matsko, delighted. "And to the eye they are dear, and good housekeepers, and wise, and pleasant to people. Oh, if I were young, I would take thee this minute!"

Yagenka glanced now an instant at Zbyshko, and, sighing in silence, said,—

"I have brought also dice and a cup and a cloth, for after every meal he likes to amuse himself with dice."

"He had this custom before, but therewith he was very quick-tempered."

"He is quick-tempered now; often he throws the cup to the ground, and rushes out through the door to the field. But afterward he comes back smiling, and is the first to blame his own anger—besides you know him; only do not oppose, and there is no better man in the world."

"But who would oppose him, since he has more mind than others?"

They were conversing in this way while Zbyshko was dressing in his room. He came out at last so fine-looking that Yagenka was dazzled, just as she had been when first he came in his "white jacket" to her father's house. But now deep sorrow possessed her at the thought that that beauty of his was not for her, and that he loved another.

Matsko was glad, for he believed that the abbot would be pleased with Zbyshko, and would raise no difficulty in bargaining. He was even pleased so much at this thought that he decided to go himself.

"Command to get the wagon ready," said he to Zbyshko. "I was able to ride hither from Cracow with iron between my ribs, I can go now without iron to Zyh's house."

"Unless you faint on the road," said Yagenka.

"Ei, nothing will happen me, for I feel strength in myself. And even if I should faint a little, the abbot will know how I hurried to him, and will show himself the more bountiful."