"Because we do not want to receive any presents," answered Macko cunningly, knowing well that the more he quarreled in that matter the more he would get.
"Did you ever see such people? They do not wish to accept anything from a relative! You have too much bread! I did not take waste land and I do not return it waste; and if I want to give you this bag, I will do it!"
"You would not do that!" exclaimed Macko.
"I will not do it! Here is your pledge! Here is your money! I give it because I want to, and had I even thrown it into the road, it would be none of your affairs. You shall see if I will not do as I wish!"
Having said this, he seized the bag and threw it on the floor so hard that it burst, and the money was scattered.
"May God reward you! May God reward you, father and benefactor!" exclaimed Macko, who had been waiting for this; "I would not accept it from anyone else, but from a relation and a spiritual father, I will accept it."
The abbot looked threateningly at both of them, and finally he said:
"Although I am angry, I know what I am doing; therefore hold what you have, because I assure you that you shall not have one _skojeo_ more."
"You know that Jagienka will inherit everything I have."
At this Macko's face grew long, but he recovered himself and said:
"Ej, why should you think about death! May the Lord Jesus grant you a hundred years or more of life, and an important bishopric soon."
"Certainly! Am I worse than others?" said the abbot.
These words appeased the abbot, for his anger never lasted long.
"Well," said he, "you are my relations, and she is only my goddaughter; but I love her, and Zych also. There is no better man in the world than Zych and no better girl than Jagienka, also! Who can say anything against them?"
He began to look angry, but Macko did not contradict; he quickly affirmed that there was no worthier neighbor in the whole kingdom.
"And as for the girl," said he, "I could not love my own daughter any more than I love her. With her help, I recovered my health and I shall never forget it until my death."
"You will both be punished if you forget it," said the abbot, "and I will curse you. But I do not wish to wrong you, therefore I have found a way by which, what I will leave after my death, can belong to you and to Jagienka; do you understand?"