“What!” Nastka exclaimed; “do ye not know of it? It came to pass ere Yule-tide.... Your Antek flew at him, took him by the throat, carried him out of the mill, and dashed him against the fence so hard that the railing broke. He fell in and was like to drown. Now he is ill, and spits blood, and cannot move. Ambrose says he has four ribs broken, and his womb is out of place.[8] And now he is always moaning and groaning.” ----- Footnote 8: Compare this anatomical error with what Falstaff says, “Henry IV,” Part 2, Act IV, Sc. 3.—_Translator’s Note._ She burst into tears. At the first words, Yagna had started up, struck with the feeling that the fight had been about herself. But presently she sat down again upon a chest, pressing her lips to the cherry-blossoms to cool them. Those of the house were astounded: though the incident was the talk of the whole village, no whisper of it had yet come to Boryna’s cabin. He growled: “Like has fallen foul of like—one ruffian of another. No great harm done!” “But,” Yagna inquired after a pause, “why did they fight?” “On account of you!” the old woman said, with a spiteful snarl. “Pray speak the truth!” “It is as I say. Matthew was at the mill, boasting in the presence of some men that he had been with you in your bedroom.... And Antek heard, and gave him a beating.” “Spare me your jests; I have no mind to hear them!” “Will you not believe me? Then ask the whole village; they will tell you the same. Did I say that Matthew was speaking true? Nay, I only repeated the village talk.” “He is a liar ... a foul liar and a villain!” “Who can protect you from evil tongues? They will often slander you beyond the grave.” “’Tis well ... ’tis well he beat him!... I fain would add to the beating!” she hissed vindictively. “Oho! The chicken’s claws turn a hawk’s talons!” “Aye! for the lie he told, I would kill him on the spot, the false hound!” “To everyone I say he lies, but they believe me not, and backbite you.” “Oh, but Antek will silence them—cut their tongues out!” Yagustynka leered at her maliciously. “Is he to fight the whole world for you, eh?” “O you Judas woman, you! With your sly hints and whispers, and the joy you take in giving pain!” Yagna was now in a towering passion; perhaps she had never yet been so angry in her life. What she felt would have been beyond bearing, but for Antek’s conduct that she now heard of. She was flooded with tenderness, and unspeakable gratitude filled her heart that he had so well taken her part and avenged her. Nevertheless, she exhibited so much ill temper at everything that went on in the house, and rated Yuzka and Vitek so sternly for every trifle, that old Boryna felt uneasy, and came to sit by her side, stroking her face and asking: “What is it ails my Yagna?” “What should ail me? Naught.—Let me be: would ye make love before everybody?” And she pushed him roughly away.