Page:Selections from the writings of Kierkegaard.djvu/118

 116 University of Texas Bulletin

place; for just then that drink seemed most inviting to me, only the inviting air of the lovely woman herself seemed to me more inviting.

It appeared that she had not had time to speak until then. Now she broke the silence and said, while serving him his tea : "Quick, now, dear, and drink while it is hot, the morn- ing air is quite cool, anyway ; and surely the least I can do for you is to be a little careful of you." "The least?" the judge answered laconically, "Yes, or the most, or the only thing." The judge looked at her inquiringly, and whilst he was helping himself she continued : "You interrupted me yesterday when I wished to broach the subject, but I have thought about it again; many times I have thought about it, and now particularly, you know yourself in reference to whom : it is certainly true that if you hadn't married, you would have been far more successful in your career." With his cup still on the platter the judge sipped a first mouthful with visible enjoyment, thoroughly refreshed ; or was it perchance the joy over his lovely wife ; I for my part believe it was the latter. She, however, seemed only to be glad that it tasted so good to him. Then he put down his cup on the table at his side, took out a cigar, and said : "May I light it at your chafing-dish"? "Certainly," she said, and handed him a live coal on a tea-spoon. He lit his cigar and put his arm about her waist whilst she leaned against his shoulder. He turned his head the other way to blow out the smoke, and then he let his eyes rest on her with a devotion such as only a glance can reveal; yet he smiled, but this glad smile had in it a dash of sad irony. Finally he said : "Do you really believe so, my girl?" "What do you mean?" she answered. He was silent again, his smile gained the upper hand, but his voice remained quite serious, neverthe- less. "Then I pardon you your previous folly, seeing that you yourself have forgotten it so quickly ; thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh^'^ â€” what great career should I have had?" His wife seemed embarrassed for a moment by this return, but collected her wits quickly and

"Job 2, 10.