Topándy, seeing there was no escape, turned entreatingly to the gendarmes who accompanied the magistrate.
"Boys, cherubims without wings, two of you come here and seize me, that I may not run away."
They obeyed him and laid hands on him.
"Well, my dear magistrate, fire away."
The worthy magistrate was annoyed, that this sorry business could not in any way assume a serious aspect.
"In the first place I come to see the execution of that judgment which the honorable Court has passed upon you."
"I bow my head,"—growled Topándy in a tone of derisive subservience.
"You have in your household youths and young girls growing up in various branches of service, who, born here, have never yet been baptized, thanks to your sinful neglect."
"Excuse me, the general drying up of wells...."
"Don't interrupt me," bawled the magistrate. "You should have produced your defence then and there, when and where you were accused; but as you did not appear at the appointed time, and obstinately procrastinated, you must listen to the sentence. All those boys and girls brought up within your premises must be taken into the country town and baptized according to the ordinances of religion."