"I tell you that the chief has complained that the people in Barania-Glova are not as they should be. They are always drinking, says he. 'Burak,' says he, 'does not look after the people; so the matter will be ground out on him.'" "Yes, I know," answered the mayor; "that all is ground out on me. When Rozalka Kovaliha was brought to bed, the court decided to give her twenty-five, so that a second time she should remember. 'Because,' said the court, 'that is not nice for a girl.' Who commanded? Was it I? Not I, but the court. What had I to do with that. Let them all be brought to bed for themselves, if they like. The court directed, and then laid the blame on me." At this juncture the cow struck the wall with such force that the chancery trembled. The mayor cried out, with a voice full of bitterness,-- "Aa! hei! may all the--" The secretary, who was sitting at the table, began to look again in the glass. "Serves you right," said he; "why don't you look out? It will be the same story with this drinking. One mangy sheep will lead a whole flock astray, and he attracts people to the dram-shop." "Of course, that is well known; but as to drinking, there is need of drink when people have worked in the field." "But I tell you only this, get rid of Repa, and all will be well." "What! shall I take his head off?" "You will not take his head off; but now that they are making the army lists, inscribe him in the list; let him draw the lot, and that is enough." "But he is married and has a son a year old." "Who among the higher authorities knows that? He will not go to make a complaint, and if he goes, they will not listen to him. In time of recruiting no one has leisure." "Oh, lord writer, it must be that for you the question is not of drinking, but of Repa's wife; and that is nothing but a sin against God." "What is that to you? This is what you will do; you will look out for your son, who is nineteen years of age, and he as well as others must draw." "I know that; but I won't give him. If there is no other way, I will ransom him." "Oh! if you are such a rich man--" "The Lord God has a little copper money in my hands; not much; but perhaps it will hold out." "You will pay eight hundred rubles of copper money?" "And if I say that I will pay, I will pay even in copper, and afterward, if the Lord God permits me to remain mayor, with His supreme assistance, the money may come back to me in a couple of years." "It will come back, or it will not come back. I need some too; I will not give you all. A man with education has always more outgoes than one who is ignorant; if we should enroll Repa in place of your son, it would be a sparing for you; you cannot find eight hundred rubles on the road." The hope of saving such a large sum began to tickle Burak, and smile at him agreeably. "Ba!" said he at last, "that is always a very dangerous thing." "Well, it is not on your head."