They were offered dessert—frozen reindeer marrow, chopped fine and arranged in small heaps—which, being hard, was moistened with a plentiful supply of vodka, as may be imagined. "It would be safer for him to be baptized. He could encamp on the western tundra."
"Well, is he willing?"
"He doesn't refuse, but says that he will see."
Before they left, the rich man presented each guest with a foxskin, and begged him to be so kind as to visit him on the tundra.
"There I am in my right place; that's my own country."
Józef's eyes sparkled.
"What do you think—can we go, Father?" he asked the missionary when they reached home.
Father Pantelay was in a very good temper.
"Perhaps we shall go.... If only he would be baptized! So many souls would be saved, for he rules the whole family."
"Oh, he is sure to be baptized. If we go there, he will be baptized out of sheer hospitality to us. Besides, we can take him presents. Here it's different, and nothing will come of it."