Daimona seized Diabolka's hand.
"Not so! You will give the silver ring to Vuk; and Schinko the copper one to Polyka. For your bridegroom is Vuk, and Schinko's bride is Polyka. That is the arrangement."
A burst of loud laughter followed upon these words. Now there would be some real fun. Diabolka and Vuk, Polyka and Schinko. The wedding-mother had the right to marry her serfs as she chose. Her serfs belonged to her, hand and foot, as did her horses and her asses. She can pair her serfs as she chooses.
The laughter of the assembled guests grew louder as the two drunken monsters, at Daimona's words, threw themselves on the handsome prey given over to them.
Their laughter was only stopped when Diabolka, before them all, gave Vuk such a blow on the chest with both hands that he went backwards off the table, and, rolling from the tribune, fell among the people.
Things were indeed going badly.
Daimona, springing towards the table like a fury, struck her fist violently upon it. At that sound the spectators' laughter suddenly ceased. The grin was still on their faces, but every sound died away on their laughing lips.
It was fun no longer.
"You will not take the husband I have chosen for you?" shrieked Daimona, in fury.
"No," returned the girl, stamping her foot, "no!"