This turn of affairs was not at all pleasing to the Bukoyemskis, who had not ceased to grit their teeth from the moment of hearing the letter. Following Stanislav they embraced Yatsek also.
"No matter how things are," said Lukash at last, "I should do differently in Yatsek's place."
"How?" asked the two brothers with curiosity.
"That is just it. I don't know how, but I should think out something, and would not yield my position."
"Since thou knowst not do not talk."
"But ye, do ye know anything?"
"Be quiet!" said the priest. "Be sure I shall not leave the letter unanswered. Still, to drop revenge is a Christian and a Catholic action."
"Oh but! Even you, father, snatched for a sabre the first moment."
"Because I carried a sabre too long. Mea Culpa! Still, as I have said, this fact comes in also. Pan Gideon is old, he has only one arm; iron rules are not in place here. And I tell you, gentlemen, that for this very reason I am disgusted to the last degree with this raging old fellow who makes use of his impunity so unjustly."
"Still, it will be too narrow for him in our neighborhood," said Yan Bukoyemski. "Our heads for this: that not a living foot will go under that roof of his."