The tired children cautiously stole into the room; the gospodyni poured out some soup for them and told them to sit in the corner and be quiet. And quiet they were, except at one moment when Stasiek fell off the bench and his mother slapped Jendrek for it. Maciek dozed, dreaming that he was drinking vodka. He felt the liquor going to his head and fancied himself sitting by the Soltys and embracing him. The fumes of the vodka and the lamp were filling the room. Slimak and Grochowski moved closer together. 'Neighbour...Soltys,' said Slimak, striking the table again. 'I'll give you whatever you wish, your word is worth more than money to me, for you are the cleverest man in the parish. The Wojt is a pig...you are more to me than the Wojt or even the Government Inspector, for you are cleverer than they are...devil take me!' They fell on each other's shoulders and Grochowski wept. 'Josef, brother,...don't call me Soltys but brother...for we are brothers!' 'Wojciek...Soltys...say how much you want for the cow. I'll give it you, I'll rip myself open to give it you...thirty-five paper roubles and a silver rouble.' 'Oh dear, oh dear!' wailed the gospodyni. 'Weren't you letting the cow go for thirty-three roubles just now, Soltys?' Grochowski raised his tearful eyes first to her, then to Slimak. 'Was I?... Josef...brother...I'll give you the cow for thirty-three roubles. Take her! let the orphan starve, so long as you, my brother, get a prime cow.' Slimate beat a tattoo on the table. 'Am I to cheat the orphan? I won't; I'll give you thirty-five....' 'What are you doing, you fool?' his wife interrupted him. 'Yes, don't be foolish,' Grochowski supported her. 'You have entertained me so finely that I'll give you the cow for thirty-three roubles. Amen! that's my last word.' 'I won't!' shouted Slimak. 'Am I a Jew that I should be paid for hospitality?' 'Josef!' his wife said warningly. 'Go away, woman!' he cried, getting up with difficulty; 'I'll teach you to mix yourself up in my affairs.' He suddenly fell into the embrace of the weeping Grochowski. 'Thirty-five....' 'Thirty-three...' sobbed the Soltys; 'may I not burn in hell!' 'Josef,' his wife said, 'you must respect your guest; he is older than you, and he is Soltys. Maciek, help me to get them into the barn.' 'I'll go by myself,' roared Slimak. 'Thirty-three roubles...' groaned Grochowski, 'chop me to bits, but I won't take a grosz more.... I am a Judas.... I wanted to cheat you. I said I was taking the cow to Gryb...but I was bringing her to you...for you are my brother....' They linked arms and made for the window. Maciek opened the door into the passage, and after several false starts they reached the courtyard. The gospodyni took a lantern, rug and pillow, and followed them. When she reached the yard she saw Grochowski kneeling and rubbing his eyes with his sukmana and Slimak lying on the manure heap. Maciek was standing over them.