“For a year, perchance, or yet longer. If the Squire come to terms with all of us, he is going to cut down and sell the half of his woods.” “Ah! I saw them measuring the land out again on the Podlesie farm.” “Yes: someone comes to terms every day.—The silly sheep! They would not make an agreement one and all together, because they hoped the Squire would offer more. And now they make it apart and in secret from the others, each one striving to be first!” “Some men are like donkeys, which, if you would have them go forward, you have to pull their tails. Yes, indeed, they are silly sheep.—And of course the Squire makes a good profit out of this state of things.” “Have ye taken possession of your property as yet?” “No, it is too soon after Father’s death, and we may not divide the land; but I have already overhauled the whole property carefully.” A face just then appeared amongst the alders on the farther bank of the river. Antek fancied it might be Yagna. The thought made him restless, and though the talk continued, his eyes wandered a good deal towards the bank of the stream. “Now,” he said presently, “I must go and bathe: the heat is unbearable”; and with that he went away down-stream, making as if in search of a convenient place. But as soon as he was out of sight, he mended his pace to a run. Yes, it was she herself, with a hoe on her shoulder, going out to work on her cabbage-plot. He soon reached and greeted her. She looked round cautiously and, recognizing him as he bent forward amongst the parted sedges, stopped short, alarmed, bewildered, and uncertain what to do. “What! don’t you know me?” he whispered eagerly, trying at the same time, though unsuccessfully, to pass the river. “Was it possible not to know you?” she answered low, looking apprehensively behind her towards the cabbage-plot, on which several women made red splashes afar. “Where are you in hiding? I cannot find you anywhere.” “Where? Your woman drove me from the cabin: I am staying with Mother.” “Concerning that matter, I desire speech with you. Come, Yagna, and meet me by the churchyard this evening. I have something to say to you. Do come!” And he begged her very earnestly. “Yes?—And what if someone should see me with you once more?—Of what has been I have enough already!” she answered. But he begged and entreated so hard that she felt her heart melting, and was sorry for the man. “What new thing can you say? and wherefore do you call me?” “Am I, Yagna, so altogether a stranger to you now?” “No stranger; but yet not mine! I think no more of such things.” “But come only, and you’ll not rue it!—Do you fear the burying-ground? Then come to the priest’s orchard.... Have you forgotten where, Yagna? Have you forgotten?” Yagna averted her head, for her face was suffused with crimson. “Talk not foolishly; you shame me!” She was exceedingly confused. “Come—come—come! I shall be waiting till midnight!”