At this Hlava fell at her feet so suddenly that dust rose to the ceiling.
"With her I could hold out in hell!" cried he, embracing Yagenka's feet.
When Zbyshko heard this cry he looked at Hlava with astonishment, for he had not known anything previously and had not suspected. Matsko wondered also at how much woman means in man's affairs, and how through her everything may succeed or may fail altogether.
"Glod is gracious to me," muttered he, "because I am not curious about women."
However, Yagenka, turning again to Hlava, said,—
"Now we only need to ask if Anulka will hold out with thee."
She called Anulka, who entered, knowing or guessing evidently what the question was, for she came in with her arm across her eyes, and her head drooping so that they saw only the parting of her bright hair, which was much brighter from the sunlight which now fell on it. Anulka halted at the door; then, springing forward to Yagenka, dropped on her knees before her, and hid her face in the folds of the lady's skirt.
But Hlava knelt near her, and said to Yagenka,—
"Bless us, young lady!"
