CHAPTER LXVII.
The old knight wished absolutely to go with Zbyshko to the armies of Prince Vitold, but Zbyshko would not permit his uncle even to speak of this. He insisted on going alone, without retinue, without wagons, with only three mounted men, one of whom was to carry provisions, the other, arms and clothing, the third, bearskins on which to sleep. In vain did Yagenka and Matsko implore him to take even Hlava, as a man of tried strength and devotion. He resisted, and refused, saying that he must forget the pain which was gnawing him, while the presence of Hlava would remind him of all that had happened and was past.
But before he departed there were weighty discussions as to what should be done with Spyhov. Matsko's advice was to sell the estate. He called that land unfortunate; it had brought, he said, nothing save disaster and misfortune to any one. There was in Spyhov much wealth of every kind: money, arms, horses, clothing, sheepskin coats, precious furs, costly implements, herds of cattle. In Matsko's soul the question was to increase with that wealth Bogdanets, which was dearer to him than any other spot. They counselled long over this, but Zbyshko would not consent to sell Spyhov at any price.
"How am I," said he, "to sell Yurand's bones? Am I to repay in that way the benefactions with which he has covered me?"
"We have promised to take Danusia's coffin," answered Matsko; "we can take Yurand's body also."
"But he is here with his fathers, and without his fathers he would be wretched in Kresnia. If you take Danusia, he will be here far away from his daughter; if you take him with her, then the fathers will be here without both."
"Dost thou not remember that Yurand in Paradise sees all people daily? and Father Kaleb says that he is in Paradise," answered the old knight.
But Father Kaleb, who was on Zbyshko's side, said,—
"His soul is in Paradise, but his body will be on earth till the day of judgment."
