"Markovic Milenko, tell your friend, Uros, not to be seen fooling about with Milena, for people have long tongues, and will talk; and, above all, do not let him be found lurking near Radonic's house to-night, for it might cost him his life."
"What! has anybody been slandering him?"
"Slandering is not the word; enough, tell him that Radonic Marko is not a man to be trifled with."
Milenko thanked the innkeeper, and, fearing lest his friend might be getting into mischief, went at once in search of him.
As Radonic was about to begin the discussion again, the host stopped him.
"You had better wait for an explanation till to-morrow, for when our heads are fuddled we, like old Marija, do not see the things exactly as they are.
"What old Marija?" asked one of the men.
"Don't you know the story of old Marija? Why, I thought everyone knew it."
"No; let's hear it."
Well, Marija was an old tippler, who was never known to be in her senses.