"But people--you see, that is, not from a bad heart, for here, as well as everywhere, there are more good than bad people; but sometimes I am sad, for here, as well as at home, they look on me as a little mad." Bukatski, who was listening to the conversation, said,-- "Then the professor has more cause for sadness here than at home." "Yes," answered Vaskovski; "I have so many friends there, like you, who love me--but here, no--and therefore I am homesick." Then he turned to Pan Stanislav: "The journals here have printed an account of my essay. Some scoff altogether. God be with them! Some agree that a new epoch would begin through the introduction of Christ and His spirit into history. One writer confessed that individuals treat one another in a Christian spirit, but that nations lead a pagan life yet. He even called the thought a great one; but he and all others, when I affirm this to be a mission which God has predestined to us, and other youngest of the Aryans, seize their sides from laughter. And this pains me. They give it to be understood also that I have a little here--" And poor Vaskovski tapped his forehead with his finger. After a while, however, he raised his head and said,-- "A man sows the seed in sadness and often in doubt; but the seed falls on the field, and God grant that it spring up!" Then he began to inquire about Pani Emilia; at last he turned to them his eyes, which were as if wakened from sleep, and asked naïvely,-- "But it is pleasant for you to be with each other?" Marynia, instead of answering, sprang to her husband, and, nestling her head up to his shoulder, said,-- "Oh, see, Professor, this is how we are together,--so!" And Pan Stanislav stroked her dark head with his hand. CHAPTER XXXIII.