Page:Halek's Stories and Evensongs.pdf/144

 It is plain enough, indeed, that not only the sea hath its islands: even human progress hath them, and only here and there where the sea is tossed by storms and wind, fall on these islands some benign drops, but only as it would seem by accident.

Then, as I was saying, a knocking at the door was here in reality an event, and grandmother started so that she trembled down to the hand in which she held her spoon.

The man who entered the room saluted very obsequiously and was nothing but bows. Grandmother took Grandmother took against him immediately, at first sight, and specially repugnant to her was his cynical piercing eye. But he impressed grandfather favourably.

Grandfather was a strange man. Come to him and lay your grievance before him frankly and openly that obtained much; but let a man come obsequiously, fawn upon him, and praise him to the skies, and he obtained everything.

Grandmother must immediately lay yet another cover, and the new-comer must sit down to table, which he did with many ceremonious excuses to the effect that he had once before been to our house.

All this pleased grandfather but it disgusted grandmother.

Grandfather asked who he was, whence he came, and the like. But Novak (for such was his name) so managed even in this that after many ceremonious phrases, from their questions and his answers, they should learn little about him except his name.

A kind of secret horror came over grandmother as if this man had come to them as an enemy to the house, and she shuddered at every word he spoke as if it was measured out for their ruin.

After supper he began at last, and then grandmother at once recognized his colours.

I’m told you have an unmarried son”, quoth he inquiringly.

“We have, we have”, answered grandfather, gasping for further questions.

“Is he going to marry?”

“And who ever thought about that yet?” broke in grandmother, not being able to restrain herself.

“And who has thought about it if not we”, said grandfather, taking her up as if he wished to rectify what she had spoiled.

Grandmother said no more, and went out of the house, and there outside she told Uncle John who had come, and what was the matter.