Then she laughed and cried by turns, and spoke to Matthias, telling him all about it, till he rolled his eyes as if in fear, and made an indistinct murmur. And she so forgot the whole world that Yuzka had to remind her she must get ready for church. She was so happy that she even wanted Yagna to come with them; but Yagna refused. Her no one had told the news, but she easily guessed at it, from words dropped here and there, and from Hanka’s extraordinary gaiety. The news elated her likewise, and touched her with a sort of silent hope; and, heedless of meeting people, she ran over to her mother. She dropped in just when a terrific quarrel was at its height. Directly after breakfast, Simon had sat down by the window, smoking a cigarette, and spitting about the room, while he considered and reflected for a long time, casting many a look at his brother. At last he said: “Now, Mother, give me some money, for I have to put up the banns. The priest told me to come after Vespers for the examination in Religion.” “And whom would you wed?” she asked, with a bitter sneer. “Nastka Golab.” She said no more, but busied herself about the pots on the fire-place. Andrew put some more wood on, and though the fire drew very well, he blew upon it out of sheer trepidation. Simon paused for a reply, and, getting none, spoke once more: this time in a more decided tone. “I shall need a five-rouble note, for there is to be the betrothal ceremony besides.” “Oh!—And have ye sent her the proposers yet?” “Klemba and Ploshka went to her.” “And the answer was Aye, no doubt?” Her chin wagged with chuckling. “Most surely.” “She’s the ‘blind hen that happened on a grain,’ hey?—The idea of a Nay from her, the beggarly thing!” Simon knitted his brows, but waited to hear her say more. “You, fetch me water from the pond; and you, Andrew, let the pig out: it is squealing.” They both obeyed mechanically. But when Simon returned to his place, and his younger brother was again pottering about the fire-place, the old dame commanded sternly: “Simon, give the heifer to drink!” “Do that yourself: I am not your maidservant!” he returned boldly, sprawling on the settle. “Have you heard?—Drive me not to punish you on the Lord’s Day!” “Have ye heard me asking for money?” Then she exploded: “Neither money nor leave to marry will I give!” “Leave I can do without!” “Simon, keep your temper. Make me not angry!” On a sudden he bent down before her, humbly clasping her feet. “See, Mother, I beg, I implore you; I am crouching at your feet like a dog!” His voice was choked with sobs. Andrew too fell prostrate at her feet, and kissed her hands, beseeching her and moaning pitifully. She repulsed them both with fury, shaking her fist. “Dare but to oppose my will,” she cried out, “and I’ll sweep you to the four winds of heaven!”