“The wheat is all untouched,” Dron declared with pride. “The prince gave me no orders about selling it.”

“Give it to the peasants, give them all they need; I give you leave in my brother’s name,” said Princess Marya.

Dron heaved a deep sigh and made no answer.

“You distribute the corn among them, if it will be enough for them. Distribute it all. I give you the order in my brother’s name; and tell them, what’s ours is theirs. We would grudge nothing for them. Tell them so.”

Dron watched the princess intently all the while she was speaking.

“Discharge me, ma’am, for God’s sake, bid them take the keys from me,” said he. “I have served twenty- three years, and done no wrong; discharge me, for God’s sake.”

Princess Marya had no notion what he wanted of her and why he asked her to discharge him. She answered that she had never doubted his fidelity, and that she was ready to do everything for him and for the peasants.