"And where is your mother?"
"Getting ready for church."
"Well, tell your father to come to me in the vestry directly after service. Do you understand?"
Wassilj promised to deliver the message. "And I know what for," he added, with childish importance, "the Emperor's answer has arrived."
Full of disquietude the priest retraced his steps. "What business can he have with the judge?" he wondered.
Explanation was at hand. He came upon the judge at his own threshold.
"Glad to meet your reverence," said Jewgeni. "I have called for your advice. My brother is against it, but all the people are for it."
"For what?"
"It is Taras's proposal. He came to me this morning saying: 'I want you to call together the general meeting directly after service--not merely the heads of families, you know, but all the community. You are aware that the final decision has arrived from Vienna. I want to render an account to the people. Now whether you are my enemy or my friend is nothing. You are the judge, and I claim this as a matter of right,' I need not tell your reverence that his friend I certainly am not. For, firstly, he is against the Emperor; secondly, he is a bastard; thirdly, he is only a lowlander who has sneaked into our village; and, fourthly, that wife of his----"
The man involuntarily put his hand to his face. Father Leo understood the gesture, but his heart was too heavy for a smile.