"Some vodka?" they ask him.

"No, thank you. I've had some.
But what's been the matter?
You look like drowned kittens."

"What should be the matter?"
(And making an effort 200
They bear themselves bravely.)
And Vlass, the old Elder,
Has placed his great palm
On the head of his godson.

"Is serfdom revived?
Will they drive you to barschin
Or pilfer your hayfields?"
Says Grisha in jest.

"The hay-fields? You're joking!"

"Well, what has gone wrong, then?
And why were you singing 211
'The Hungry One,' brothers?
To summon the famine?"

"Yes, what's all the pother?"
Here Klimka bursts out
Like a cannon exploding.
The others are scratching
Their necks, and reflecting: