"How do I understand repentance? Father Vior, the last time, commanded that we give ourselves thirty stripes in discipline, and we gave fifty; for we thought: Well, since this pleases the Heavenly Powers, let them have all they want of it."
At this even the serious Pani Vinnitski laughed and Panna Anulka hid her face in her sleeve as if warming her nose there.
Lukash noticed, as did his brothers, that their answer had roused laughter, hence they were somewhat offended and silent; so for a time were heard only the rattling of chains on the carriage, the snorting of horses, the sound of mud under hoofs, and the croaking of crows. Immense flocks of these birds were sailing away in the sunlight from small places and villages to the pine woods.
"Ah! they feel this very minute that there will be food even to wade in," said the youngest Bukoyemski, turning his eyes toward the crows.
"Yes, war is their harvest," said Mateush.
"They do not feel it yet, for war is far off," said Pan Gideon.
"We all know what the talk was at the district diets, and what instructions will be given to the general Diet."
"True, but it is not known if they were the same everywhere."
"Pan Prylubski, who has travelled through a great part of the Commonwealth, says they were the same everywhere."
"He comes from Olkuts, and makes levies for the bishop of Cracow."
"But has the bishop commanded to make levies before the assembling of the Diet?"
"You see, your grace, how it is! This is the best proof that war is certain. The bishop wants a splendid light cavalry regiment--well, Pan Prylubski came to these parts because he has heard of us somewhat."
"Ho! ho! Your glory has gone far through the world. Are you going?"
"Why should we not all go? It is a good thing during war to have a friend at one's side, and still better a brother."
"He and Pan Yatsek will serve in one regiment."
Pan Gideon glanced quickly at the young lady sitting in front; a sudden flame rushed over her cheeks, and he inquired further,--
"Are they so intimate already? Under whom will they serve?"
"In God's name, what are you saying? That is the hussar regiment of Prince Alexander."
"Is it possible! Is it possible! That is no common regiment--"
Pan Gideon had it on his lips to say that such a stripling in the hussars would be a soldier, not an officer, but he held back the remark, fearing it might seem that his letter was not so polite, or his help so considerable as he had told Anulka, so he frowned and said,--