Children of the Soil

his journey to Kremen. He did not write in return, for he intended to answer the letter orally. He heard too, but only on the

shed him, too, that at times he saw her as clearly as if she had been standing before him, not only as an exact image, but as a living person. He saw her pleasant, mild face, with shapely mouth, and the little ensign on the upper lip; the calm gaze of her eyes, in which were visible the attention and concentration with which she listened to his words; he saw her whole posture, lithe, supple, from which came the warmth of great and genuine maiden youthfulness. He remembered her bright robe, the tips of her feet, peeping from under it, her hands, delicate, though slightly sunburnt, and her dark hair, moved by the breeze in the ga

expected to see either, especially Pan Stanislav, and was sincerely delighted when she met them; her delight was darkened only by this, that Litka, a child exceptionally sensitiv

sive, there shone deep delight. From time to time she pressed his hand, as if to convince herself that he had come really to Reichenhall and was near her. Pan Stanislav had simply no time t

msee is prettier; but we

go, isn't it true? I can walk much now. It is

tanislav, and, without dropping his hand, l

as, Pan

or tenderness as great as an elder brother might s

n not run so;

him, pouted, and ans

, Pan

ka's joyousness, and preferred to leave their mutual friend in her possession exclusively. Only after dinner, which they ate in the garden together, amid foliage and the twittering of sparrows, when Vaskovski had

to walk to the en

y here a minute with Pan Vaskovsk

and Pani Emilia a

l, w

ts concerning Marynia had attuned him to a note more sensitive than usual, it is sufficient that he changed the affair altogether. He confessed, it is true, to a quarrel with Plavitski, but he

e and Plavitski,-a thing which must be reflected on Panna Marynia,-I

onception of business, and, besides, was

hould be no such thing

e such a simple s

may put various demands before them; he may offer Kremen for sale. No, that was not a delicate act, nor one to bring us nearer; and

predestination in everything; and I believe, t

ue, then I need not do anything, for in

ce wills and arranges everything for the best, but leaves people freedom. Frequently the

convictions. Reason is like a lantern, which God puts in our hand

ar I have none. I think that a letter will come to-morrow at latest, for we wr

t know myself when in K

l be outspoken, though she

rn in a carriage, or on foot, if Litka was not tired and they could return before sunset. The two men presented themselves at the lady's villa before nine in the m

people sometimes," said he, pointing

atures that were almost too delicate, seemed rather the idea of an artist than a living little girl. Bukatski, the decadent, said that she was formed of mist made just a trifle rosy by light. Indeed, there was something in the little maiden,

milia was as pure as an infant, and simply carried her exalted head in the sky as if she knew not that evil existed. She was even so pure that she did not understand the necessity of paying attention to appearances. She received gladly those whom Litka loved; but she refused a number of good

ith simplicity Va

hey both see

g that in the given case had attracted his attention. She smiled with pleasure,-likely

r to-day, and have

ad it rig

I beg you

skovski, and Litka in advance, Pan Stanislav a little behin

rned a little by that evening. Thou knowest, moreover, how alone I am and overworked, and how rarely I see men like him. It seemed to me that a guest had come from another world, and a better one. He not only pleased, but captivated me with his heartiness, so that I could not sleep, and was thinking all the time of him. It is true that in the morning he quarrelled with papa, and even I received a little; though God sees how much I would give that there might be no question of that kind between us. At the first moment it touched me greatly; and if that ugly man had known how much I cried in my chamber, he would have pitied me. But, afterward, I thought that he must be very sensitive; that papa was not right; and I am not angry now. I will say, also, in thy ear, that a certain voice whispers to me continually that he will not sell to any one the c

st heartily. Write to me of her heal

he pushed his hat down to the back of his head, and felt a certain intense desire to break his cane into small bi

ski! Be confident that he will not inj

essed himsel

id to her on that Sunday,-after those words friendly, open, and at the same time intended to enter her heart! They were chosen for that purpose, and he felt that she had taken them in that sense. He might repeat as often as he pleased that they bound him to nothing; that in the first meeting and in the first conversation which a man has with a woman, he merely pushes out horns, like a snail, and tries the ground to which he has come. That would be no consolation to him now. Besides, he was not merely not in humor for self-justification, but wished rather to give himself a slap on the face. He saw for the first time so de

seized him that in presence of it even anger at himself had to yield. He joined

e this

ou did not confess to me that she suffered somewhat at parting; but

beat me; but there is nothing to be

she felt sure that an affair in which both sides had such vivid feelings was in the bes

after some mon

t we may see," said Pan Sta

"that he who once wins Marynia's

gloomily; "but also such hearts, wh

Pan Stanislav, as usual, for her own exclusive property. The forest, sunk in the mild morning light of a fair day,

hroo

hanically, thinking

, kitten,

tching along the shore, on which were visible here and there wooden foot-piers, extending a few yards into the lake. Litka wished to look

rrounded Litka's feet. In the blue water were visible the golden-brown backs of the carp, and the gray spotted scales of t

ead," said Litka. "How strangely they

y after an hour or two will they say: 'Ah! here is some littl

l they think

I am some gypsy, for I

ies have

itka. I had the chance

and all at once her sensitive face reflected his sadness, just as that water reflected her form. When they joined the rest of the company, from t

oubles P

looking around at the lake, a

yesterday, thinking to

it is very beautiful But what h

take dinn

his hat in his hand, and seeking in his pockets for a handkerc

hose children of the century bear in their souls an abyss like this lake, for example; besides, the abyss in them is bottomless, and they think to fill it with pictures, strong waters, amateurship, dilett

t can fi

at they begin in Christ. Had Bukatski loved art in the Christian

u told h

willing to do so, and laugh at me. Yet he was the greatest man and the greatest saint of the Middle Ages,-a saint who renewed

f resin; the lake became perfectly smooth in the calm air full of glitte

anislav called a waiter in a soiled coat, ordered dinner, then looked about silently at the lake and the mountains around it. A couple of

and see irises, I thi

so many lakes or so many iri

the last days. I hesitated long between Perugia and Assisi, but last year Rome gained the day. Rome seems the ant

incerely," sa

e years old," b

onths," inte

ski. "Nothing is so remembered as that which is seen in childhood. And though childhood does not feel many things completely, nor understand them, that co

ave my woman's reasons, w

are

ia began

is to marry that gentleman sitting there so gloomy," said s

ved his hand. But Vaskovski inquire

th Marynia

in Kremen, and it would be vain for him

y," answered

er attacks of palpitation of the heart, which alarmed even doctors. The mother seized her at once in her arms; Pan Stanislav ran to the restaura

, it was too far-Still the doctor permitted. So anxious! But this is nothing; it will pass,

out with a pillow in her hand. They laid the little girl on the bench, and while Pani

t thou,

am better," answered she, opening he

Litka began again to smile at her mother, who also recovered from her alarm somewhat. It was needful to strengthen the child before they returned home. Pan Stanislav ordered dinner, which was scarcely touched by any one except Litka, for all looked at her from mom

that when they were just near Reichenhall, a choking attacked her again. She begged permission to get out of the carriage; but it appeared that walking wearied her. Then

thee. If not, mamma will

carried her with perfect ease on one arm only; to assure both her and P

not at all heavy; but now, see where those great feet

attend her as soon as possible; as he went, he felt her heart beating against

; I cannot-L

he s

. In future we will take a big easy armchair on wheels; and when t

Litka, with tea

hat marriage opens the way to fatherhood and to all its treasures of happiness. While carrying that little girl, who was dear to him, though a stranger, he understood that God had created him for a family; not only to be a husband, but a father; also that the main ob