"I should rather meet bandits than Pan Martsian's company, of which people tell in Belchantska such terrible stories. I have not heard of bandits attacking a mansion."
"They do not, for a bandit has the same kind of sense that a wolf has. Consider, young lady, that a wolf never kills sheep or horned cattle in the neighborhood where his lair is."
"He speaks truth," said the other brothers.
Yan, glad of this praise, explained further.
"The bandit attacks no village or mansion near his hiding place. For if neighboring people should pursue, they, knowing the forests and secret spots in them, would hunt him out the more easily. So bandits go to a distance, and plunder houses or fall upon travellers in great or small parties."
"Have they no fear?"
"They have no fear of God. Why should they fear men?"
But Panna Anulka had turned her mind elsewhere, so, when Pan Serafin came to the carriage, she began to blink and implore him.
"Why should I stay in the carriage when no attack threatens? May I not go on horseback?"
"Why?" asked Pan Serafin. "The sun is high. It would burn your face. There is one who would not like that."