He decided to strap on his belt. 'What's wrong?'
'I can't see, and there's a noise in my ears. Is any one whistling?'
'Don't drink vodka and you'll hear no noises,' he said, spitting, and went out. It surprised him that she had made no remark after the thrashing he had given Jendrek, and having no one to beat, he seized an axe and chopped wood until nightfall, eating nothing all day. Logs and splinters fell round him, he felt as if he were revenging himself on his enemies, and when he left off, stiff and tired, his shirt soaked with perspiration, his anger had gone from him.
He was surprised to find no one in the room and peeped into the alcove;
Slimakowa was lying on the bed.
'What's the matter'
'I'm not well, but it's nothing.'
'The fire has gone out.'
'Out?' she asked vaguely, raising herself. She got up and lighted the fire with difficulty, her husband watching her.
'You see,' he said presently, 'you got hot yesterday and then you would drink water out of the Jew's pewter pot and unbutton your jacket. You have caught cold.'
'It's nothing,' she said ill-humouredly, pulled herself together and warmed up the supper. Jendrek crept out and took a spoon, but cried instead of eating.