Pagina 419 di 788

Well, I tell you, wait; the farm of Soplicowo is not a fair

booth, that is taken apart, put in a waggon, and carried off; the

farm will stand as it is until spring. And the Judge is no Jew in

a rented tavern; he won't run away, you can find him in the

spring. But now pray disperse, and don't speak aloud of what has

occurred, for to talk of it will do no good. And I beg you all,

kind gentlemen, follow me: my Sarah has given birth to a little

Jankiel, and to-day I treat the crowd; and the music is splendid!

I will order bagpipes, a bass viol, and two fiddles; and Pan

Maciek, my friend, likes old July mead and a new mazurka. I have

new mazurkas, and I have taught my kids to sing just fine."

The eloquence of the universally beloved Jankiel touched the

hearts of his hearers; there arose cries and exclamations of joy;

the murmur of approbation was even spreading beyond the house,

when Gerwazy aimed his penknife at Jankiel. The Jew jumped down

and disappeared in the crowd; the Warden shouted:-