He refused, and on 26 March 1878 several of them surrounded him outside his home, where he had returned shortly before in the company (for his safety) of two fellow writers; one of the students, Jan Sawicki, slapped Prus' face.
El a refuzat, iar pe 26 martie 1878, mai multi dintre ei l-au inconjurat in fata casei sale, unde s-a intors impreuna cu doi colegi scriitori; unul dintre studenti, Jan Sawicki, i-a dat o palma lui Prus.