'Fire!… fire!' she shouted, and escaped from the room, 'the cottage is on fire, everything is on fire!'
She staggered out like a drunken person, and they could hear her voice farther and farther off, shouting 'Fire!' until the rain drowned it.
'Run, Maciek, and bring her back,' cried Slimakowa. But Maciek did not stir.
'You can't send a man after a mad woman on a night like this,' said
Slimak.
'Well, what am I to do with this dog's child? Do you think I shall feed her?'
'I dare say you won't throw her over the fence. You needn't worry,
Zoska will come back for her.'
'I don't want her here for the night.'
'Then what are you going to do with her?' said Slimak, getting angry.
'I'll take her to the stable,' Maciek said in a low voice, lifting the child up awkwardly. He sat down on the bench with it and rocked it gently on his knees. There was silence in the room. Presently Magda, Jendrek, and Stasiek emerged from their corner and stood by Maciek, looking at the little creature.
'She is as thin as a lath,' whispered Magda.