CHAPTER LXIX.
They remained a time in Plotsk on business of Yagenka's inheritance and the abbot's will; afterward, when provided with documents, they moved forward without resting much on their journey, which was easy and safe, for the heat had dried swamps and narrowed rivers, while the roads lay through a peaceful country inhabited by people who were of Polish race, and hospitable. From Sieradz, however, the careful Matsko despatched an attendant to Zgorzelitse, to announce his own coming and that of Yagenka; because of this Yasko, Yagenka's brother, hurried out halfway to meet them and conducted them home at the head of armed attendants.
There was much rejoicing when they met, with many greetings and many outcries. Yasko and Yagenka had always resembled each other as much as two drops of water, but he had outgrown her. He was a splendid young fellow, daring, joyous, like his father, from whom he had inherited a love for singing, and he was as lively as a fire spark. He thought himself a person of years and strength; he considered that he was a mature man, for he managed his attendants as a genuine chief, and they carried out every command of his in a flash, fearing evidently his power and importance.
Matsko and Yagenka wondered at this; while Yasko looked with delight at the beauty and polish of his sister, whom he had not seen for a long time. He told them meanwhile that he had been preparing to visit her, and had they delayed a little in coming they would not have found him at home. He wished to see the world, he said, rub against men, get knightly training, and find a chance to fight in one and another place with knights on their wanderings.
"To learn the world and the manners of people is a good thing," said Matsko in answer, "for a man learns what he is to do and say in every juncture, and it strengthens the native wit in him. But as to fighting, it is better that I should say that thou art too young yet than that a strange knight should say so, and besides not fail to laugh at thee."
