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I said to him: 'See here, Dobrzynski, the goat will come to the

butcher's waggon!' Well, Dobrzynski, switches are cut for you,

you see!"

Then he bent over and whispered into the Judge's ear:-

"Judge, if you want to have this matter hushed up, a thousand

rubles cash for each head. A thousand rubles, Judge, that's my

last word."

The Judge tried to bargain, but the Major would not listen; once

more he stalked about the room and puffed out clouds of smoke,

like a squib or a rocket. The women followed him, imploring and

weeping.

"Major," said the Judge, "even if you go to law, what will you

gain? There has been no bloody battle here, and no wounds; for

their eating of hens and geese they will pay fines according to

the statute. I shall not make complaint against the Count; this

was only an ordinary squabble between neighbours."

"Judge," said the Major, "have you read the Yellow Book?"161

"What yellow book?" asked the Judge.