Page:Three stories by Vítězslav Hálek (1886).pdf/169

 And more she said to the same effect. She added that she would go again on the water deliberately, and that Poldik had no business to take on so about it.

But to-day Poldik was quite inaccessible to reason; when Malka said that she was going again on the water and did not go, he got up and thundered out “Well, go then at once if thou dost not wish to be made a hash of like thine own dinner.”

And he spoke each word as if it was stone. We know that Poldik seldom spoke, and that he never spoke a word more, but rather several words less than he meant. Consequently, when he pronounced these words with so much precision, there was nothing for it but to consider them meant seriously. Malka had recourse to a yet more violent flood of tears, but wasted no more words on him, and soon marched off. Those bystanders who were present in the alehouse with mine host at their head, posted themselves round Poldik, whom they generally reputed to be a man of thoroughly temperate thoughts and habits, and endeavoured by peaceful words to persuade him to reconcile himself with his mistress. “Let him sleep upon it.” “Everything will soon come straight.” “Things like this will occur at times.” “But a man ought not to take on so.” “What would matters come to, if?” and so forth.

Poldik sat by his table, covered his features with both his horny hands and never stirred. Whether