“On the way to Buchynek I learned that Yasmen was near, and I resolved to go there. Panna Helena took me to her father; but he was just finishing his rosary, and did not greet me till he had said the last ‘Hail Mary.’ Then he begged my pardon, and said thus: ‘Those heavenly matadors in their own order; but with Her a man has more courage, and in old fashion, when She is merciful, all is well, for nothing is refused Her.’”
“What a type he is!” exclaimed Svirski.
The Bigiels laughed, but Marynia said that there was something affecting in such confidence. With this Svirski agreed, and Pan Stanislav continued,—
“Then he said that it was time for him to think of his will, and I did not oppose him, in usual fashion, for with me it is a question of our Pan Ignas. On the contrary, I told him that that was a purely legal matter, for which it was never too early, and that even young people ought to think of it.”
“That is my opinion, too,” put in Bigiel.
“We spoke also of Pan Ignas; the old man has come to love him heartily.”
“Yes!” exclaimed Svirski. “When he learned that I had been in Prytulov, he began at once to inquire about him.”
“Then have you been in Prytulov?” inquired Marynia.
“Four days. I like Osnovski immensely.”
“And Pani Osnovski?”