Pagina 426 de 788

And thus the eloquent Gerwazy carried them all away, for all had

their grudges against the Judge, as is usual among neighbours;

now complaints of damage done by cattle, now for the cutting of

wood, now squabbles over boundary lines: some were aroused by

anger, others merely by envy for the wealth of the Judge-all were

united by hatred. They crowded about the Warden, and raised aloft

sabres and sticks.

At last Maciek, hitherto sullen and motionless, rose from his

bench and with slow steps came out into the middle of the room

and put his hands on his hips: looking straight before him and

nodding his head, he began to speak, pronouncing slowly every

word, pausing between them and emphasising them:-