'It's a cruel injustice to me,' he said.
'That man Boege persecutes one,' Magda replied. 'I went to implore him, and he called me names too. Ah! the Germans have the upper hand now at Pognębin. They aren't afraid of anyone.'
'Of course, for they are the strongest,' Bartek said sadly.
'As I am a plain woman, I tell you God is the strongest.'
'In Him is our refuge,' added Bartek.
They were both silent a moment, then he asked again:—
'Well, and what of Just?'
'If the Lord Almighty gives us a crop, then perhaps we shall be able to repay him. Possibly too the Count will help us, although he himself has debts with the German. They said even before the war that he would have to sell Pognębin. Let us hope that he will bring home a rich wife.'
'But will he be back soon?'
'Who knows? They say at the house that he will soon be coming with his wife. And directly he is back the Germans will be upon him. It's always those Germans! They are as plentiful as worms! Wherever one looks, whichever way one turns, whether in the village or the town—Germans for our sins! But where are we to get help from?'