Page:Three stories by Vítězslav Hálek (1886).pdf/176

 that awkward landlubber Rectitude has also his weak side, for being ill-adapted to charm the mind of woman, he is too frequently left in the lurch without a wife, in spite of all his constancy of character and his devotion to business.

Malka enjoyed herself on the water beyond measure. Wherever the light craft sped its way, people on the bank paused to gaze upon the bespangled shallop, and asked each other whoever that couple could be. It was clear in the sky above them and in the water below them, the banks were carpeted with brilliant green, and by the river side lads and lasses promenaded in their Sunday attire, and in all the innocent delights of the Sabbath. Where Malka wished, the skiff stopped; where she wished, it flew forward.

They dined together in a garden, under the broad blue sky; and here Malka already confessed to herself that there was more life in one afternoon with Francis than in all the time she had spent with Poldik.

And this afternoon delighted her more and more They urged the boat forward against the stream, and the smiles of the whole world seemed concentrated upon them. In the villages by the river side bands of music were playing, and the tones were wafted to them lightly over the water. The boys who trooped along the banks of the river recognized Francis, who was indeed a general favourite among