“Fear not, I can well afford it.... You will see later.—Oh, if pigeon’s milk were to be bought for any money, I would buy some for you, dear! Oh, how happy you will be with me!” And, taking her round the waist, he pressed her to partake of all that was there. And she did: accepting all, however, as coolly and indifferently as if it were someone else’s engagement-day. She only thought: “Will the old man give it me before the wedding, that coral necklace he told me of at the fair?” And now they began to drink in earnest—rum and sweetened vodka alternately, and all talked at the same time. Even Dominikova was not a little flustered, and she chattered and held forth about many a matter, so that the Voyt wondered at the wisdom she displayed. Her sons were likewise in their cups, for again and again either Ambrose or the Voyt urged them to take some more. “Toss off your glasses, boys, ’tis Yagna’s engagement-day!” “Yes, yes, we know,” they answered, and wanted to kiss the old sexton’s hand. It was then that Dominikova took Boryna apart to have a straight talk with the man. “Yagna is yours—yes, yours, Matthias!” “Thanks, Mother, for your gift of her.” He put his arm round her neck and embraced her. “You promised to make her a settlement, I understand.” “Why need there be any? All I have is hers.” “In order that she may look her stepchildren in the face and laugh at their curses.” “Woe betide them, if they interfere! All is mine, all is Yagna’s.” “Kindly said. Only note this: you are somewhat elderly. Besides, we all are mortal. And, you know: “‘Death none can refuse: He takes all he can, Now a lamb, now a man, Not caring to choose!’” “Oh, but I am hale—good for a score of years yet. Never you fear!” “‘Never-Fear was eaten by the wolves.’” “Well, I am glad you speak out! Would you have me settle on her the three acres I have, close to Luke’s field?” “‘A hungry dog will try even to catch a fly,’ as they say; but we are not hungry. Yagusia is to inherit five acres, besides one of forest-land, from her father. Settle six acres on her, you: those six where you grew potatoes last summer—close to the road.” “My very best fields!” “Yagna too is the pick of the village.” “She is, indeed: therefore I sent you my proposers. But, mercy on us! six acres! It is a whole farm!” He scratched his head in perplexity; for his heart was sore at the thought of giving up so much of his best land. “My good friend, consider, like the intelligent man you are, and you will see that the settlement is only a protection for my daughter. No one can take the land from you, so long as you live: while all that Yagna has inherited from her father will be yours at once. I will send for a land-surveyor when spring comes round, and you will even be able to sow it then. And, seeing that such an arrangement cannot harm you, you will readily settle those six acres upon her.” “Good: I will.” “And when?”