'Do they know anything about peasants' work?'

'Rather! They make more profits than we who are born here. The Germans
are clever; they have a lot of cattle, sow clover and carry on a trade
in the winter. We can't compete with them.'

'I wonder what their religion is like? They talk to each other like
Jews.'

'Their religion is better than the Jews',' the Soltys said, after
reflecting; 'but what is not Catholic is nothing. They have churches
with benches and an organ; but their priests are married and go about
in overcoats, and where the blessed Host ought to be on the altar they
have a crucifix, like ours in the porch.'

'That's not as good as our religion.'

'Why!' said Grochowski, 'they don't even pray to the Blessed Mother.'

The gospodyni crossed herself.

'It's odd that the Merciful God should bless such people with
prosperity. Drink, neighbour!'

'To your health! Why should God not bless them, when they have a lot of
cattle? That's at the bottom of all prosperity.'

Slimak became pensive and suddenly struck his fist on the table.