And the strife about the burnt offerings began anew. It did not, however, last long, as, firstly, the doctor began to make so much noise that they could be heard with difficulty and then, Pani Krzycki, whom the young physician permitted to rise and move to an armchair, sent a message asking the ladies to visit her. After their departure the doctor went to the office to write out specifically where and how the cure should be conducted; the notary became occupied with his flute in the vestibule. Gronski, Dolhanski, and Ladislaus for a while remained alone. Then Dolhanski addressed Ladislaus: "What are these Gorek and Kwasnoborz?" "About fifteen hundred acres, and there is also Zabianka." "So I have heard. And the soil?" "Almost the same as at Rzeslewo. In Zabianka it is said to be better." "So I have heard. The state of the fortune?" "Bad and good. Bad, because these ladies will not invest in anything. Good, because they have no debts and every penny which flows from the husbandry, after it gets into the stockings, never beholds daylight again." "That is what I have been waiting for," said Dolhanski. "They are as stingy as they are pathetic, and who knows whether they are not stingier?" "Let them hoard." And Gronski began to laugh and quoted: "Sic vos non vobis nidificatis aves--sic vos non vobis mellificates apes--" "Yes," said Dolhanski. After which suddenly to Gronski: "To-morrow I will propose for the hand of Cousin Otocka." "To-day you are full of surprises," replied Gronski. "Wait! And I will be given the mitten." "Without any doubt." "But I want to have a clear conscience. After which I will drive over to Gorek." "That is already known. And you will quell the agitated waves of a strike." "In the course of a day. As you see me here." After which he pointed at Ladislaus. "That simplex servus Dei became unwittingly an instrument in the hands of Providence. The Lord often avails Himself of pigmies. For this, when you become bankrupt in Jastrzeb, apply to me at Gorek." "Provided that before that time you are not reduced to the same level," responded Ladislaus, laughing. "You are an excellent leveller." "We live in an age of universal levelling. But what is Panna Wlocek's Christian name?" "Kajetana." "Plait-il?" "Kajetana," repeated Krzycki. "Her father's christian name was Kajetan and she was named in memory of him." "Tell me then why that well-stocked Kajetana preserved herself in her virgin state until the age of thirty or more?" "Thirty-five, to be accurate. That is what my mother said not long ago. She remembers the day of her birth. As to why she is unmarried the reason is plain. Parties were not wanting but those ladies looked too high. In the neighborhood, we only have the common nobility; and among the Krzyckis there was not a bachelor of suitable age. You, in this respect, would correspond to their fantasy--"