Children of the Soil

ently; for in the study he found an exquisite coffee service ready, and glasses for liqueurs. Mashko himself did not appear at once, however;

lation. Coming from a family uncertain even as to its nobility, he treated people of undoubted ancient families as if he were of incomparably better birth than they, people who were of undoubted wealth, as if he were wealthier than they. And this succeeded: those tactics of his were effective. He was careful not to fall into complete ridicule; but he had marked out for himself in this procedure uncommonly wide margins. At last he reached the point which he sought: he was received everywhere, and had established his credit firmly. Certain transactions brought him really generous profits; but he did not hoard money. He judged that the time for that had not come yet, and that he must invest more in the future, with the intent that it would rep

s personal ugliness: it seemed to him even aristocratic. There was, indeed, a certain something, which, if not uncommon, was at least peculiar, in his pouting mouth, in his broad nostrils, and the red freckles on his face. There was a certain

ain in advance a man so demanding, to act otherwise would be to expose himself to an immediate account, disagreeable in the best case. At last, the young men, by meeting often, grew used to each other's weaknesses, and endured each other perfectly. On t

. I have invested their little capital, and I pay them the interest most regularly. Not

say to me?" aske

ll, drink s

alcohol under th

ook on it as lost. Evidently the collection will involve costs, journeys, etc. Hence I cannot give thee what the

the claim, even for less than the face of it, I

ree mo

of attorney with Bigiel in c

u going to R

ssi

t Bukatski has gi

ple. Why art thou buying this claim on Kremen?

ge one. I have heard myself from Plavitski that he would sell Kremen. I will suppose that he is still more inclined now, and that it will be possible to acquire all that property cheaply, even very cheaply, for some payments, for some unimportant

Mashko's words with a cert

s very much opposed to selling. She, in woman fashion, is in love with her Krem

ll be lost to me. First, I may sell it, as thou hast; second, as an advocate, I can dispose o

close too, and b

g in Mashko. No; other means will be found, to which ready consent may be given

y to get at the property." Again a feeling of great anger and bitterness seized him. At the first moment he wished to rise, say to Mashko, "

s? Well, that is an idea like any other. I am perfectly loyal with thee, as, for that matter, I have been always. Thou didst go there as if for money, but I knew why those ladies sent thee. Thou hast returned, however, as angry as the devil; therefore I take it that thou hast no intentions. Say that I am mistaken, and I

hat Mashko was right when he said that in such a case he ought not t

is one thing which does not please me, though for me it is profitable; namely that thou art buying this claim. I believe that thou hast

an, which I doubt, I shall not ask the hand of Panna Plavitski as interest for my money. Since I can say to myself conscientiously that I would buy the debt in any case, I

ctions to write the contract, and

tant. It is ready, and ne

t Bigiel's, was in such anger as he had never been before; Pani Bigiel could not hide her vexation; and Bigiel,

tion is merely whether he is deceiving thee by sa

answered Pani Bigiel. "We all sa

strengthen thereby his social position, become related to numerous families, and at last take into his hands the business of a certain whole sphere of society

Plavitski pleases him really. I remember now th

Pani Bigiel; "wha

rry Pan Mashko if she wi

t y

to Reichenhal