Page:The Mantle and Other Stories.djvu/186

 "Stop, father! I have been ordered to give you this note," said Levko.

"Let me see it then! But bind him all the same."

"Wait, headman," said the notary, unfolding the note; "it is the Commissary's handwriting!"

"The Commissary's?"

"The Commissary's?" echoed the village councillors mechanically.

"The Commissary's? Wonderful! Still more incomprehensible!" thought Levko.

"Read! Read!" said the headman. "What does the Commissary write?"

"Let us hear!" exclaimed the distiller, holding his pipe between his teeth, and lighting it.

The notary cleared his throat and began to read.

"'Order to the headman,.

"'It has been brought to our knowledge that you, old id'"

"Stop! Stop! That is unnecessary!" exclaimed the headman. "Even if I have not heard it, I know that that is not the chief matter. Read further!"

"'Consequently I order you at once to marry