“’Tis Nastka has taught him thus much sense,” they laughed. Thereupon Simon said no more, but withdrew to a shady corner; and Gregory Rakoski, the Voyt’s brother, though no great speaker and somewhat given to stammering, began to hold forth. “Our fathers keep the land to themselves, and their children out of it. This is wrong and iniquitous. But the worst is that they manage things foolishly. If they had come to an agreement with the Squire, the question of the forest would have been settled long ago.” “How’s that? For every fifteen acres of forest, he offered only two of his land, and we had a right to four.” “A right? That is a question to be decided by the officials.” “Who take the Squire’s part.” “Not so. The commissioner himself advised us not to accept two acres: so the Squire will have to offer more,” Balcerek observed. “Hush now,” said Matthew; “here comes the smith, and an old man along with him.” They turned and saw in the doorway the smith, who was arm in arm with an old man. Both had been drinking, and they pushed forward, straight on to the bar, where they, however, remained but a short time, the Jew ushering them into the private room. “They have been feasting at the Voyt’s.” “What, was the christening to-day?” Antek inquired. “Oh, yes,” Ploshka explained; “all our elders are there. The Soltys was godfather, and the godmother, Balcerek’s wife: Boryna, it seems, was offended and refused.” “But who,” Balcerek cried, “is the old man here?” Gregory enlightened him: “He is Mr. Yacek, brother to the Squire of Vola!” They all stood up to look at him. Mr. Yacek was pressing forward slowly, evidently seeking someone. At last his eyes met Bartek of the sawmill, and he went with him to the wall against which the men of Rzepki sat in a row. “What does the man want here?” “Oh, he is always wandering about the villages, talking with peasants—sometimes helping them—playing on his violin, teaching the girls to sing songs: he must be a little crazy.” “Pray, Gregory, go on with what you had to say.” “Ah, about the forest?—I was saying that we should not leave the matter in the hands of the old men: they would bungle it.” “Well, but,” Antek said with decision, “there is only one thing to be done: if they set about felling our timber, we must all of us go and drive them away, until such time as the Squire shall come to terms.” “That is just what they said at Klemba’s.” “Said, yes: but what can they do? No one will go with them.” “The husbandmen will.” “Not all of them.” “All, if Boryna leads them!” “Which is doubtful.” “Then,” Balcerek cried hotly, “let Antek be our leader!”