They demurred and he kicked them both out. They went off, cursing and threatening him.
Slimak laid his wife down on the warm litter and strolled about the yard, thinking that he must presently fetch help for her and a doctor. Now and then he looked into the stable; she seemed to be sleeping quietly. Her great peacefulness began to strike him, his head was swimming, he heard noises in his ears; he knelt down and pulled her by the hand; she was dead, even cold.
'Now I don't care if I go to the devil,' he said, raked some straw into a corner and was asleep within a few minutes.
It was afternoon when he was at last awakened by old Sobieska.
'Get up, Slimak! your wife is dead! God's faith! dead as a stone.'
'How can I help it?' said the peasant, turning over and drawing his sheepskin over his head.
'But you must buy a coffin and notify the parish.'
'Let anyone who cares do that.'
'Who will do it? In the village they say it's God's punishment on you. And won't the Germans take it out of you! That fat man has quarrelled with them. Josel says you are now reaping the benefit of selling your fowls: he threatened me if I came here to see you. Get up now!'
'Let me be or I'll kick you!'