He went into the town and drew up the bill, but Magda had gone to the priest for advice beforehand. Yet what could he advise? The priest said he was very sorry for her; the time given for repayment was short, the interest was high, Count Jarzyński was not at home; had he been, he might have helped. Magda, however, could not wait until the team was sold, and she was obliged to accept Just's terms. She contracted a debt of three hundred marks, that is, twice the amount of the fine, for it was certainly necessary to have a few pence in the house to carry on the housekeeping. On account of the importance of the document, Bartek was obliged to sign it, and for this reason Magda went to see him in prison. The conqueror was very depressed, dejected, and ill. He had wished to forward a petition, setting forth his grievances, but petitions were not accepted;--opinion in Administrative circles had turned against him since the Articles in the _Posener Zeitung_. For were not these very Authorities bound to afford protection to the peaceful German population, who, during the recent war, had given so many proofs of devotion and sacrifice to the Fatherland? They were therefore obliged in fairness to reject Bartek's petition. But it is not surprising that this should have depressed him at last. 'We are done for all round,' he said to his wife. 'All round,' she repeated. Bartek began to ruminate deeply on the circumstances. 'It's a cruel injustice to me,' he said. 'That man Boege persecutes one,' Magda replied. 'I went to implore him, and he called me names too. Ah! the Germans have the upper hand now at Pognębin. They aren't afraid of anyone.' 'Of course, for they are the strongest,' Bartek said sadly. 'As I am a plain woman, I tell you God is the strongest.' 'In Him is our refuge,' added Bartek. They were both silent a moment, then he asked again:-- 'Well, and what of Just?' 'If the Lord Almighty gives us a crop, then perhaps we shall be able to repay him. Possibly too the Count will help us, although he himself has debts with the German. They said even before the war that he would have to sell Pognębin. Let us hope that he will bring home a rich wife.' 'But will he be back soon?' 'Who knows? They say at the house that he will soon be coming with his wife. And directly he is back the Germans will be upon him. It's always those Germans! They are as plentiful as worms! Wherever one looks, whichever way one turns, whether in the village or the town--Germans for our sins! But where are we to get help from?' 'Perhaps you can decide on something, for you are a clever woman.'