"I have not been there for some time. It is clear that Vilchopolski does not praise the Krepetskis, but I had no chance to inquire about everything in detail."
"I will look in there to-morrow, though they are not over glad to behold me, and then I will return to rub the ears of the Bukoyemskis. I will command them to come to confession, and for penance the whips will be moving. Let them give one another fifty lashes; that will be good for them."
"It will, that is certain. But now I must take farewell of your grace because of Vilchopolski."
Then Pan Serafin shortened his belt-strap, so that his sabre might not be in the way when he was entering the wagon. A moment later he was on the road moving toward Yedlinka, thinking meanwhile of his expedition, and smiling at the thought that he would work stirrup to stirrup with his one son, against pagans. After he had passed Belchantska he saw two horses under packs, and a trunk-laden wagon which Vilchopolski was driving. He commanded the young man to sit over into his wagon, and then he inquired,--
"Are you leaving Belchantska already?"
Vilchopolski pointed to the trunks, and wishing to prove that though he served he was not without learning, he said,--
"See, your grace, omnia mea mecum porto" (I am taking all my things with me).
"Then was there such a hurry?"
"There was not a hurry, but there was need; therefore I accept all your grace's conditions with pleasure, and in case you go away, as you have mentioned, I will guard your house and possessions with faithfulness."
Pan Serafin was pleased with the answer and the daring, firm face of the young man; so, after a moment of meditation, he added,--