'What do they want, daddy?' Stasiek asked suddenly. 'Ah, yes! true!' Slimak was roused: 'Heh, sir!' The older man looked round. 'What are you asking me all those questions for?' 'Because it pleases us to do so,' the younger man answered, pushing his father into the carriage. 'Farewell! we shall meet again!' cried the old man. The carriage rolled away. 'What a crew they are on the highroad to-day, it's like a fair!' said Slimak. 'But who are those people, daddy?' 'Those? They must be Germans from Wolka, twelve miles from here.' 'Why did they ask so many questions about your land?' 'They are not the only ones to do that, child. This country pleases people so much that they come over here from a long way off; they come as far as the pine hill and then they go away again. That is all I know about them.' He turned the horses homeward and was already forgetting the Germans. The cow and the field were engaging all his thoughts. Supposing he bought her! he would be able to manure the ground better, and he might even pay an old man to come to the cottage for the winter and teach his boys to read and write. What would the other peasants say to that? It would greatly improve his position; he would have a better place in church and at the inn, and with greater prosperity he would be able to take more rest. Oh, for more rest! Slimak had never known hunger or cold, he had a good home and human affection, and he would have been quite happy if only his bones had not ached so much, and if he could have lain down or sat still to his heart's content. CHAPTER III Returning to the courtyard, Slimak let Maciek take the horses. He looked at the cow, which was tied to the fence. Despite the falling darkness he could see that she was a beautiful creature; she was white with black patches, had a small head, short horns and a large udder. He examined her and admitted that neither of his cows were as fine as this one. He thought of leading her round the yard, but he suddenly felt as if he could not move another step, his arms seemed to be dropping from their joints and his legs were sinking. Until sunset a man can go on harrowing, but after sunset it is no good trying to do anything more. So he patted the cow instead of leading her about. She seemed to understand the situation, for she turned her head towards him and touched his hand with her wet mouth. Slimak was so overcome with emotion that he very nearly kissed her, as if she were a human being. 'I must buy her,' he muttered, forgetting even his tiredness. The gospodyni stood in the door with a pail of dishwater for the cattle. 'Maciek,' she called, 'when the cow has had a drink, lead her to the cowshed. The Soltys will stay the night; the cow can't be left out of doors.' 'Well, what next?' asked Slimak.