Yuzka was that day on duty as housewife, and saw to it that the platters should be always properly supplied, ever and anon bringing more food, lest the bottom of any dish perchance be seen. The porch where they were dining was obviously the best place in such pleasant weather. Lapa ran to and fro, whining for food, and even rising up to look into the dishes, till someone threw him a bone. He carried it off, and barked for joy when his masters called him by name, and jumped at the sparrows, perched upon the hedge in expectation of crumbs to eat. Passers-by merrily wished them joy: to which good wishes they all would answer with thanks in chorus. “I hear you have been taking some birds to his Reverence,” Boryna said. “Yes, I have.” And, setting down his spoon, Kuba told how the priest had invited him into the room, and what a number of big books he had seen there. “When has he time to read them all?” Yuzka wondered. “When? Why, of an evening. He walks about the room, and drinks tea, and is continually reading.” “Books of piety they must all be,” Kuba added. “What else should they be? Not spelling-books, surely!” “He reads the paper the village factor brings him daily,” Hanka added. And her husband remarked: “Yes, for by the papers we know what’s done all the world over.” “The smith takes a paper in, and the miller too.” “A paper fit for the smith, no doubt,” remarked Boryna, with a sneer. “As it happens, the same paper that his Reverence takes in,” was Antek’s hot retort. “You know, then? Have you read it?” “Yes, I have ... more than once.” “You’ll get none the wiser for his counsels.” “And whom do you hold wise? One with seventeen acres, or eight head of cattle, perhaps?” “Hold your tongue before I lose my temper! Always picking quarrels with me!—You’re too full of bread—_my_ bread!” “Aye, so full that like a fishbone it sticks in my throat!” “Then seek better bread. Hanka’s three acres will give you rolls!” “Potatoes only; but these none will grudge me.” “I grudge you nothing.” “No? I work like an ox, nor ever get a kind word.” “Elsewhere life is easier, and food given free!” “Elsewhere it is better, surely.” “Then go and try it!” “What, empty-handed? Not I!” “I’ll give you a staff, to keep the dogs away.” “Father!” Antek shouted, starting to his feet, but falling back at once, for Hanka caught him round the waist. The old man glared at him fiercely: then, crossing himself as if dinner were over, he went out and into his room, saying in a hard voice: “D’ye think I’ll let myself be pensioned off by you? Never!” All rose at once and left the porch, except Antek, who stayed alone there, pondering. Kuba took the horses to the clover beyond the barn, and lay down to sleep beside a cornstack. But he could not; the full meal lay heavy on his chest. Moreover, it now occurred to him that if he had a gun he could kill birds enough—and, it might be, a leveret or two into the bargain—to offer every Sunday to his Reverence.