"Well, what of it?" he asked. "Do you claim that if it was not for this and that there would not be any socialism amongst us?"
"There is socialism over the entire world," rejoined the doctor, "therefore there must be with us. Only if it was not for this and that, there would not accompany it highway robbery, savagery, and blindness; there would not be this modern socialism which has styled itself Polish, though its pitch can be smelt a mile away."
"Bravo!" cried Gronski. "I said the same thing in other words to another person on the road from Jastrzeb."
"Ay, Jastrzeb," said the doctor looking at his watch. "Here we are talking and it is time that we started."
"Perhaps the notary can go with us," said Gronski. "The carriage has seats for four."
"I can. Only I will take my flute with me. Well!" answered the notary.
"Well!" repeated Szremski, mimicking him. "Aha, the flute! Then there will be a serenade in Jastrzeb, while here the socialists will rob the office."
The notary who was going after his flute, suddenly turned around, sniffed vehemently, and said:
"To-day they sent me a sentence of death."
"Bah! I already have received two of them," merrily answered the doctor.