Gavrílo wanted to say something more, but his lips and cheeks trembled. He turned away toward the wall. Even the judges were frightened as they looked at him.
"It would not be surprising," they thought, "if he actually did some harm to his neighbour or to himself."
And an old judge said to them:
"Listen, friends! You had better make peace with each other. Did you do right, brother Gavrílo, to strike a pregnant woman? Luckily God was merciful to you, but think what crime you might have committed! Is that good? Confess your guilt and beg his pardon! And he will pardon you. Then we shall change the decree."
The scribe heard that, and said:
"That is impossible, because on the basis of Article 117 there has taken place no reconciliation, but the decree of the court has been handed down, and the decree has to be executed."
But the judge paid no attention to the scribe.
"Stop currycombing your tongue. The first article, my friend, is to remember God, and God has commanded me to make peace."
And the judge began once more to talk to the peasants, but he could not persuade them. Gavrílo would not listen to him.