Ketling changed the subject soon after:—
“I have not told you yet that on the road we stopped with Pan Yan, who would not let us go for two weeks, and entertained us so that in heaven it could not be better.”
“By the dear God, how are they?” cried Zagloba. “Then you found them at home?”
“We did; for Pan Yan had returned for a time from the hetman’s with his three elder sons, who serve in the cavalry.”
“I have not seen Pan Yan nor his family since the time of your wedding,” said the little knight. “He was here in the Wilderness, and his sons were with him; but I did not happen to meet them.”
“They are all very anxious to see you,” said Ketling, turning to Zagloba.
“And I to see them,” replied the old man. “But this is how it is: if I am here, I am sad without them; if I go there, I shall be sad without this weasel. Such is human life; if the wind doesn’t blow into one ear it will into the other. But it is worse for the lone man, for if I had children I should not be loving a stranger.”
“You would not love your own children more than us,” said Basia.
When he heard this Zagloba was greatly delighted, and casting off sad thoughts, he fell at once into jovial humor; when he had puffed somewhat he said,—
“Ha, I was a fool there at Ketling’s; I got Krysia and Basia for you two, and I did not think of myself. There was still time then.”