"A girl must marry and not fight with the boys. Unless you have a third one, you must choose one of these two."
"You must not tell me that," answered the girl, sadly.
"Why not? I have been away from home for a long time, therefore I do not know whether there is somebody around Zgorzelice, of whom you are fond or not."
"Hej!" answered Jagienka. "Let it be!"
They walked along silently, trying to make their way through the thicket which was now much denser because the bushes and the trees were covered with wild hop vines. Zbyszko walked first, tearing down the green vines, and breaking the branches here and there; Jagienka followed him with a crossbow on her shoulder, looking like a hunting goddess.
"Beyond that thicket," said she, "there is a deep brook; but I know where the ford is."
"I have long boots on, reaching above my knees; we can cross it," answered Zbyszko.
Shortly afterward, they reached the brook. Jagienka being familiar with the Moczydlowski forests, very easily found the ford; but the water was deeper than usual, the little brook being swollen by the rains. Then Zbyszko without asking her permission, seized the girl in his arms.
"I can cross by myself," said Jagienka.
"Put your arms around my neck!" answered Zbyszko.