There were but few couples in the room as yet, and these danced but slowly and (it seemed) with little zeal. Nastka and Simon Paches were the only exception, and frisked about very willingly. They had arranged matters beforehand and, with the opening sounds of the music, had joined in close union, and bounced about in scrupulous fulfilment of their promise. But no sooner had the Voyt come in (he was late, having had to go with the recruits to the District Barracks) than he began to make things look more lively; drinking deep, talking with all the farmers present, and cracking jokes with the newly-wedded couple. “Why, your bride is as red as her skirt, and you are as white as a sheet!” “You’ll not say that to-morrow.” “Matthias, experienced as you are, you surely have not wasted a day.” “Nay, with all eyes upon him? Fie! the man is no gander.” “I would not bet half a quart that you say true. You know: throw but a pebble into the bush: out flies the bird! ’Tis the Voyt tells you so!” Yagna made her escape from the room; which occasioned a loud guffaw. The women then proceeded to wag their tongues very much at their ease, careless of what they said. The hubbub swelled, and the guests grew more good-humoured in proportion. Boryna, bottle in hand, went several times the round of the company; the dancers, now more numerous, frisked with livelier steps, and began to stamp and sing, and circle about the room in wider rounds. Then did Ambrose make his appearance and, sitting down (nearly at the threshold), follow the bottle with wistful eyes, as it went its way. The Voyt cried to him: “You never turn your head, except towards the clinking of glasses.” “Because of that same clinking!” he answered. “And he has merit who gives to drink to them that thirst.” “You leather bottle! here’s water for you!” “What’s good for cattle may be bad for man. They say: ‘Water to drink is now and then not bad, but harm from vodka no one ever had!’” “Here’s vodka for you, since you discourse so well.” “You first, Voyt!—They say, too: ‘Water for a christening, vodka for a wedding, and tears for a death!’” “Well said: drink another.” “I should not even shirk a third. For my first wife I always take one, but two for my second!” “Why so?” “Because she died in time for me to seek a third.” “What! Still dreaming about women, and his old eyes see no more as soon as twilight comes!” “It is not always necessary to see.” At this, they laughed uproariously, and the women cried out: “For the love of vodka and of talk, they are both well matched.” “There’s a saying: ‘A wife good in talk, and a man strong in deed, have every chance in the world to succeed.’” The Voyt had now sat down by Ambrose, the others crowding round, as many as could find seats, or, if they could not, standing about with little heed to the dancers’ convenience.