Pagina 424 de 788

You remember how we took Wolk captive, and how we were going to

hang him to a beam in the barn, because he was a tyrant to the

peasantry and a servant of the Muscovites; but the stupid

peasants took pity on him! (I must roast him some time on this

penknife.) I will not mention countless other great forays, from

which we always emerged as befitted gentlemen, both with profit

and with general applause and glory! Why should I remind you of

this! To-day the Count, your neighbour, carries on his lawsuit

and gains decrees in vain, for not one of you is willing to aid

the poor orphan! The heir of that Pantler who nourished hundreds,

to-day has no friend except me, his Warden, and except this

faithful penknife of mine!"