“Have you drunk it all? Give me the bottle! How you talk about Tono! I’ve promised you. Look at the Reaper[9]—what a way it has travelled. You’ve got two hours’ walk.”
“I wish Jagica you knew how easy the walk is for me now. I’d walk five hours to see you.” He grabbed her hand, then let it drop.
“God grant—and the Holy Mother of God—that we marry soon. Please—please—go quick to the city and see about the land settlements. Tell the gentlemen that you want to marry. Fall is not far off.”
“What do gentlemen care about peasant weddings! Well, I’ll try anyway. Tomorrow early I’ll go.”
A cry rang over the meadow. In the quiet air of night it was something mighty, and three times, four times, the hill-tops answered back.
“The horse herdsmen,” said the girl trembling.
“Hide, Janko—quick! They are coming home. Day is near now.”
He obeyed and they hid together in the bushes beside the apple tree. For a time they whispered. When the hoofs came nearer, they stopped. She gestured with one hand, for him not to stick his head out, but she followed the herdsmen eagerly with her eyes. Loud laughter, merry jokes, and the tramp, tramp of horses’ feet, as they swept past.
“Is Tono there?”
“Wait. Pst!—yes—I hear his voice.”