Page:Our Grandfather by Vítězslav Hálek (1887).pdf/28

 a year before he would have shuddered at the thought of. This hatred had no substantial foundation—at least none but what reason could overthrow. But just on that very account, grandfather reasoned too much about it, until he actually reasoned himself into his hatred.

Then to the general astonishment all learnt from grandfather that Kubista all his life had abused his friend’s kindness, had cheated him, and even now wished to make capital out of him and prey on him. Moreover, as soon as he was somewhat better, grandfather began to set real disputes afoot between himself and Kubista about a certain boundary stone which divided their fields, and he ordered to have his boundary stone pushed forward, thus continually pouring oil on the fire.

At the beginning every one still imagined that it was only a jest, and Kubista, least of all of them imagined it to be in earnest. But when there now began to come to him official notices, and he had frequently to present himself to the law court and there reply to questions about which he had never given a thought—then at last the affair assumed a more serious aspect and he began to think of effecting a reconciliation.

He actually did go to grandfather, but as soon as the latter saw him arrive in the courtyard he went off to his bedroom, locked the door, shut himself in, and nothing on earth would make him alter his mind. At this grandmother was in the highest degree distressed. She accompanied Kubista on his way home and urged him to pay no heed to things which originated solely from grandfather’s state of health, saying that she trusted that these troubles would pass over before their children were old enough to