CHAPTER VII
On the road to Radom Father Voynovski had invited Pan Serafin andStanislav to his house for a rest, after which he and Yatsek were tovisit them at Yedlinka. During this visit three of the Bukoyemskisappeared, unexpectedly. Marek, whose shoulder-blade had been cut, couldnot move yet, but Mateush, Lukash, and Yan came to bow down before theold man and thank him for his care of them when wounded. Yan had lost alittle finger, and the older brothers had big scars, one man on hischeek, the other on his forehead, but their wounds had then healed andthey were as healthy as mushrooms.
Two days before they went on a hunt to the forest, smoked out a sleepyshe-bear, speared her, and took her cub which they brought as a gift toFather Voynovski, whose fondness for wild beasts was known by allpeople.
The priest whom they had pleased as "innocent boys" was amused withthem and the little bear very greatly. He shed tears from laughter whenthe cub seized a glass filled with mead for a guest, and began to roarin heaven-piercing notes to rouse proper terror, and thus save thebooty.
On seeing that no one wished the mead, the bear stood on its hind-legsand drank out the cup in man fashion. This roused still greaterpleasure in the audience. The priest was amused keenly, and added,--
"I will not make this cub my butler or beekeeper."
"Ha!" cried Stanislav, laughing, "the beast was a short time at schoolwith the Bukoyemskis, but learned more in one day from them than itwould all its life in the forest."
"Not true," put in Lukash, "for this beast has by nature such wit thatit knows what is good without learning. Barely had we brought the cubfrom the forest when it gulped down as much vodka (whiskey) right offas if it had drunk the stuff every morning with its mother, and thengave a whack on the snout to a dog, as if saying 'This for thee--don'tsniff at me'--after that it went off and slept soundly."
"Thank you, gentlemen. I will have real pleasure from this bear," saidthe priest, "but I will not make the creature my butler or beekeeper,for though knowing drinks well, it would stay too near them."
"Bears can do more than one thing. Father Glominski at Prityk has abear which pumps the organ they say. But some people are scandalized,for at times he roars, especially when any one punches him."
"Well, there is no cause for scandal in that," replied FatherVoynovski; "birds build nests in churches and sing to the glory of God;no one is scandalized. Every beast serves God, and the Saviour was bornin a stable."
"They say, besides," added Mateush, "that the Lord Jesus turned amiller into a bear, so maybe there is a human soul in him."
"In that case you killed the miller's wife, and must answer," said PanSerafin. "His Grace the King is very jealous of his bears and does notkeep foresters to kill them."
When they heard this the three brothers grew anxious, but it was onlyafter long thinking that Mateush, who wished to say something inself-defence, answered,--
"Pshaw! are we not nobles? The Bukoyemskis are as good as theSobieskis."
But a happy thought came to Lukash, and his face brightened.
"We gave our knightly word," said he, "not to shoot bears, and we shootno bears; we spear them."
"His Grace the King is not thinking of bears at the present," said Yan;"and besides, no one will tell him. Let any forester here say a word.It is a pity, however, that we boasted in presence of Pan Gideon andPan Grothus, for Pan Grothus has just gone to Warsaw, and as he seesthe king often, he may mention this accidentally."
"But when did ye see Pan Gideon?" asked the priest.
"Yesterday. He was conducting Pan Grothus; You know, benefactor, theinn called Mordovnia? They stopped there to let their beasts rest. PanGideon asked about many things, and he talked also of Yatsek."
"About me?" inquired Yatsek.
"Yes. 'Is it true,' asked he, 'that Tachevski is going to the army?''True,' we answered.
"'But when?'
"'Soon, we think.'
"Then Pan Gideon said again: 'That is well. Of course he will join theinfantry?'
"At that we all became angry, and Mateush said. 'Do not say that, yourgrace, for Yatsek is our friend now, and we must be on his side.' Andas we began to pant, he restrained himself. 'I do not mention this outof any ill-will, but I know that Vyrambki is not an estate of thecrown,'" said he.
"An estate, or not, what is that to him?" cried the priest. "He neednot trouble his head with it!"
But it was clear that Pan Gideon thought otherwise, and did trouble hishead about Yatsek; for an hour later the youth who brought in adecanter of mead brought a sealed letter also.
"There is a messenger to your grace from Pan Gideon," said he.
Father Voynovski took the letter, broke the seal, opened it, struck thepaper with the back of his hand, and, approaching the window, began toread.
Yatsek grew pale from emotion; he looked at the letter as at a rainbow,for he divined that there must be mention of him in it. Thoughts flewthrough his head as swallows fly. "Well," thought he, "the old man ispenitent; here is his excuse. It must be so and even cannot beotherwise. Pan Gideon has no more cause now to be angry than those menwho suffered in the duel, so his conscience has spoken. He hasrecognized the injustice of his conduct. He understands how grievouslyhe injured an innocent person, and he desires to correct theinjustice."
Yatsek's heart began to beat like a hammer. "Oh! I will go to the war,"said he in his soul--"not for me is happiness over there. Though Iforgive her I cannot forget. But to see once more, before going, thatbeloved Anulka, who is so cruel, to have a good look once again at her,to hear her voice anew. O Gracious God, refuse not this blessing!"
And his thoughts flew with still greater swiftness than swallows; butbefore they had stopped flying something took place which no man therehad expected: on a sudden Father Voynovski crushed the letter in hishand and grasped toward his left side as if seeking a sabre. His facefilled with blood, his neck swelled, and his eyes shot forth lightning.He was simply so terrible that Pan Serafin, his son, and theBukoyemskis looked at him with amazement, as if he had been turned intosome other person through magic.
Deep silence reigned in the chamber.
Meanwhile the priest bent toward the window, as if gazing at someobject outside it, then he turned away looked first at the walls andthen at his guests. It was clear that he had been struggling withhimself and had come to his mind again, for his face had grown pale,and the flame was now dim in his eyeballs.
"Gracious gentlemen," said he, "that man is not merely passionate, butevil altogether. To say in excitement more than justice permits befallsevery man, but to continue committing injustice and trampling on thosewho are offended is not the deed of a noble, or a Catholic." Then,stooping, he raised the crumpled letter and turned to Tachevski.
"Yatsek, if there is still in thy heart any splinter, take this knifeand cut it out thoroughly. Read, poor boy, read aloud, it is not forthee to be ashamed, but for him who wrote this letter. Let thesegentlemen learn what kind of man is Pan Gideon."
Yatsek seized the letter with trembling hands, opened it and read:
"My very gracious Priest, Pastor, Benefactor, Etc., Etc.,--Havinglearned that Tachevski of Vyrambki, who has frequented my house, is tojoin the army during these days, I, in memory of the bread with which Inourished his poverty, and for the services in which sometimes I wasable to use him, send the man a horse, and a ducat to shoe the beast,with the advice not to waste the money on other and needless objects.
"Offering at the same time to you my willing and earnest services, Iinscribe myself, etc., etc."
Yatsek grew so very pale after reading the letter that the men presenthad fears for him, especially the priest who was not sure that thatpallor might not be the herald of some outburst of madness, for he knewhow terrible was that young man in his anger, though usually so mild.He began therefore at once to restrain him.
"Pan Gideon is old, and has lost one arm," said he quickly, "thou canstnot challenge him!"
But Yatsek did
not burst out, for at the first moment immeasurable andpainful amazement conquered all other feelings.
"I cannot challenge him," repeated he, as an echo, "but why does hecontinue to trample me?"
Thereupon Pan Serafin rose, took both Yatsek's hands, shook themfirmly, kissed him on the forehead, and added,--
"Pan Gideon has injured, not thee, but himself, and if thou droprevenge every man will wonder all the more at thy noble soul whichdeserves the high blood in thee."
"Those are wise words!" cried the priest, "and thou must deserve them."
Pan Stanislav now embraced Yatsek.
"In truth," said he, "I love thee more and more."
This turn of affairs was not at all pleasing to the Bukoyemskis, whohad not ceased to grit their teeth from the moment of hearing theletter. Following Stanislav they embraced Yatsek also.
"No matter how things are," said Lukash at last, "I should dodifferently in Yatsek's place."
"How?" asked the two brothers with curiosity.
"That is just it. I don't know how, but I should think out something,and would not yield my position."
"Since thou knowst not do not talk."
"But ye, do ye know anything?"
"Be quiet!" said the priest. "Be sure I shall not leave the letterunanswered. Still, to drop revenge is a Christian and a Catholicaction."
"Oh but! Even you, father, snatched for a sabre the first moment."
"Because I carried a sabre too long. _Mea Culpa!_ Still, as I havesaid, this fact comes in also. Pan Gideon is old, he has only one arm;iron rules are not in place here. And I tell you, gentlemen, that forthis very reason I am disgusted to the last degree with this raging oldfellow who makes use of his impunity so unjustly."
"Still, it will be too narrow for him in our neighborhood," said YanBukoyemski. "Our heads for this: that not a living foot will go underthat roof of his."
"Meanwhile an answer is needed," said Father Voynovski, "andimmediately."
For a time yet they considered as to who should write,--Yatsek, at whomthe letter was aimed, or the priest to whom it was directed. Yatseksettled the question by saying,--
"For me that whole house and all people in it are as if dead, and it iswell for them that in my soul this is settled."
"It is well that the bridges are burnt!" said the priest; as he soughtpen and paper.
"It is well that the bridges are burnt," repeated Yan Bukoyemski, "butit would be better that the mansion rose in smoke! This was our way inthe Ukraine: when some strange man came in and knew not how to livewith us, we cut him to pieces and up in smoke went his property."
No one turned attention to these words save Pan Serafin, who waved hishands with impatience, and answered,--
"You, gentlemen, came in here from the Ukraine, I, from Lvoff, and PanGideon from Pomorani; according to your wit Pan Tachevski might countus all as intruders; but know this, that the Commonwealth is a greatmansion occupied by a family of nobles, and a noble is at home in everycorner."
Silence followed, except that from the alcove came the squeaking of apen and words in an undertone which the priest was dictating tohimself. Yatsek rested his forehead on his palms and sat motionless forsome time; all at once he straightened himself, looked at thosepresent, and said,--
"There is something in this beyond my understanding."
"We do not understand, either," added Lukash, "but if thou wilt pourout more mead we will drink it."
Yatsek poured into the glasses mechanically, following at the same timethe course of his own thoughts.
"Pan Gideon," said he, "might be offended because the duel began at hismansion, though such things happen everywhere; but now he knows that Idid not challenge, he knows that he offended me under my own roofunjustly, he knows that with you I am now in agreement, and that Ishall not appear at his house again,--still he pursues me, still he istrying to trample me."
"True, there is some kind of special animosity in this," said PanSerafin.
"Ha! then there is as you think something in it?"
"In what?" asked the priest, who had come out with a letter nowwritten, and heard the last sentence.
"In this special hatred against me."
The priest looked at a shelf on which among other books was the HolyBible, and said,--
"That which I will say to thee now I said long ago: there is a woman init." Here he turned to those present. "Have I repeated to you,gentlemen, what Ecclesiastes says about woman?"
But he could not finish, for Yatsek sprang up as if burnt by livingfire. He thrust his fingers through his hair and almost screamed, forimmense pain had seized him.
"Still more do I fail to understand; for if any one in the world--if toany one in the world--if there be any one of such kind--then with mywhole soul--"
But he could not say a word more, for the pain in his heart had grippedhis throat as if in a vice of iron, and rose to his eyes as two bitter,burning tears, which flowed down his cheeks. The priest understood himthen perfectly.
"My Yatsek," advised he, "better burn out the wound, even with awfulpain than let it fester. For this reason I do not spare thee. I, in mytime, was a soldier of this world, and understand many things. I knowthat regret and remembrance, no matter how far a man travels, drag likedogs after him, and howl in the night-time. They give him no chance tosleep because of this howling. What must he do then? Kill those dogsstraightway. Thou at this moment feelest that thou wouldst have givenall thy blood over there; for which reason it seems to thee somarvellous and terrible that from that side alone vengeance pursuesthee. The thing seems to thee impossible; but it is possible--for ifthou hast wounded the pride and self-love of a woman, if she thoughtthat thou wouldst whine and thou hast not whined when she beat thee,and thou didst not fawn in her presence, but hast tugged at thy chainand hast broken it, know that she will never and never forgive thee,and her hatred, more raging than that of any man living, will alwayspursue thee. Against this there is only one refuge: crush the love,even on thy own heart, and hurl it, like a broken bow, far fromthee--that is thy one refuge!"
Again there was a moment of silence. Pan Serafin nodded, confirming thepriest, and, as a man of experience, he admired all the wisdom of hisstatement.
"It is true," added Yatsek, "that I have tugged at the chain, and havebroken it. So it is not Pan Gideon who pursues me!"
"I know what I should do," said Lukash, on a sudden.
"Tell, do not hide!" cried the other two.
"Do ye know what the hare said?"
"What hare? Art thou drunk?"
"Why that hare at the boundary ridge."
And, evidently encouraged, he stood up, put his hand on his hip andbegan to sing:
"A hare was just sitting for pleasure, Just sitting at the boundary ridge. But the hunters did not see him, Did not know That he was sitting lamenting And making his will At the boundary ridge."
Here he turned to his brothers and asked them,--
"Do ye know the will made by that hare at the boundary ridge?"
"We know, but it is pleasant to hear it repeated."
"Then listen.
"Kiss me all ye horsemen and hunters, Kiss me at the boundary ridge.
"This is what I would write to all at Belchantska if I were in Yatsek'sposition; and if he does not write it, may the first Janissarydisembowel me if I do not write it in my own name and yours to PanGideon."
"Oh, as God is dear to me, that is a capital idea!" cried Yan, muchdelighted.
"It is to the point and full of fancy!"
"Let Yatsek write that!"
"No," said the priest, made impatient by the talk of the brothers. "Iam writing, not Yatsek, and it would not become me to take your words."Here he turned to Pan Serafin and Stanislav and Yatsek. "The task wasdifficult, for I had to twist the horns of his malice and not abandonpoliteness, and also to show him that we u
nderstood whence the stingcame. Listen, therefore, and if any one of you gentlemen has made anice judgment I beg you to criticise this letter." And he began,--
"Great mighty benefactor, and to me very dear Sir and Brother."
Here he struck the letter with the back of his hand, and said,--
"You will observe, gentlemen, that I do not call him 'my verygracious,' but 'my very dear.'"
"He will have enough!" said Pan Serafin, "read on, my benefactor."
"Then listen: 'It is known to all citizens of our Commonwealth thatonly those people know how to observe due politeness in every positionwho have lived from youth upward among polite people, or who, coming ofgreat blood, have brought politeness into the world with them. Neitherthe one nor the other has come to your grace as a portion, while on thecontrary the Mighty Lord Pan Yatsek Tachevski inherited from renownedancestors both blood and a lordly spirit. He forgives you your peasantexpressions and sends back your peasant gifts. Rustics keep inns incities and also eating-houses on country roads for the entertainment ofpeople. If you will send to the great Lord Pan Yatsek Tachevski thebill for such entertainment as he received at your house he will payit, and add such gratuity as seems proper to his generous nature.'"
"Oh, as God is dear to me!" exclaimed Pan Serafin, "Pan Gideon willhave a rush of blood!"
"Ha! it was necessary to bring down his pride, and at the same time toburn the bridges. Yatsek himself wanted that-- Now listen to what Iwrite from myself to him: 'I have inclined Pan Tachevski to see thatthough the bow is yours, the poisoned arrow with which you wished tostrike that worthy young gentleman was not in your own quiver. Sincereason in men, and strength in their bones, weaken with years, andsenile old age yields easily to suggestions from others, it deservesmore indulgence. With this I end, adding as a priest and a servant ofGod, this: that the greater the age, the nearer life's end, the lessshould a man be a servant of hatred and haughtiness. On the contrary,he should think all the more of the salvation of his soul, a thingwhich I wish your grace. Amen. Herewith remaining, etc. I subscribemyself, etc.'"
"All is written out accurately," said Pan Serafin; "nothing to beadded, nothing taken away."
"Ha!" said the priest, "do you think that he gets what he deserves?"
"Oi! certain words burnt me."
"And me," added Lukash. "It is sure that when a man hears such speecheshe wants to drink, just as on a hot day."
"Yatsek, attend to those gentlemen. I will seal the letter and send itaway."
So saying he took the ring from his finger and went to the alcove. Butwhile sealing the letter some other thought came to his head, as ithappened, for when he returned, he said,--
"It is done. The affair is over. But do you not think it too cutting?The man is old, it may cost him his health. Wounds given by the pen areno less effective than those by the sword or the bullet."
"True! true!" said Yatsek, and he gritted his teeth.
But just this exclamation of pain decided the matter. Pan Serafinadded,--
"My revered benefactor, your scruples are honorable, but Pan Gideon hadno scruples whatever; his letter struck straight at the heart, whileyours strikes only at malice and pride. I think, therefore, that itought to be sent."
And the letter was sent. After that still more hurried preparationswere made for Yatsek's departure.