Page:Magdalen by J S Machar.pdf/82

 moment, and he would be flying downwards As that picture arose in his mind, he closed his eyes a little, with the resignation of a fatalist.

They continued their conversation. An hour later Jiří rose from his seat and bade them good-bye. He said he would look in at the tailor’s to order some gowns for Lucy, then he would buy a few things, and so forth,—in reality, ennui and his old habits drove him to the coffeehouse, to the Příkopi, and to his friends

The women sat down to work. The old lady started again on her recollections, all the time sewing, cutting and measuring. Lucy with dainty stitches was hemming some babies’ shirts. A gentle warmth filled their souls. Outside gleamed a bright spring day. The voices of chirping sparrows reached them from the street

Then Lucy burst out laughing,—for the first time here. The old lady was telling of her wedding: the bridegroom had arrived,