Plavitski did not let her finish, however, and said with increasing ill humor, "It does not please thee, I know, that she shows me a little friendship and attention. Read Pan Yamish's articles on agriculture, do him homage, raise statues to him; but let me have my sympathies." Here Pan Stanislav might admire the real sweetness of Marynia, who, instead of being impatient, ran to her father, and putting her forehead under his blackened mustaches, said,-- "They will bring the horses right away, right away, right away! Maybe I ought to go; but let ugly father not be angry, for he will hurt himself." Plavitski, who was really much attached to his daughter, kissed her on the forehead and said, "I know thou hast a good heart. But what is Gantovski doing?" And he called through the open gate of the garden to the young man, who returned soon, wearied out, and said,-- "There is water in the boat, and it is drawn up too far; I have tried, and I cannot--" "Then take thy cap and let's be off, for I hear the horses have come." A moment later the young people were alone. "Papa is accustomed to society a little more elegant than that in the country," said Marynia; "therefore he likes Pani Yamish, but Pan Yamish is a very honorable and sensible man." "I saw him in the church; to me he seemed as if crushed." "Yes; for he is sickly, and besides has much care." "Like you." "No, Pan Yamish manages his work perfectly; besides, he writes much on agriculture. He is really the light of these parts. Such a worthy man! She too is a good woman, only to me she seems rather pretentious." "An ex-beauty." "Yes. And this unbroken country life, through which she has become rather rusty, increases her oddness. I think that in cities oddities of character and their ridiculous sides efface one another; but in the country, people turn into originals more easily, they grow disused to society gradually, a certain old-fashioned way is preserved in intercourse, and it goes to excess. We must all seem rusty to people from great cities, and somewhat ridiculous." "Not all," answered Pan Stanislav; "you, for example." "It will come to me in time," answered Marynia, with a smile. "Time may bring changes too." "With us there is so little change, and that most frequently for the worse." "But in the lives of young ladies in general changes are expected." "I should wish first that papa and I might come to an agreement about Kremen." "Then your father and Kremen are the main, the only objects in life for you?" "True. But I can help little, since I know little of anything." "Your father, Kremen, and nothing more," repeated Pan Stanislav.