"Though thou art becoming a fool, as I see, I thank thee," and we embrace with all our strength. Poterkevich mentions that it is dry in his throat. I haven't a copper; but Antek has two rubles; others have as much. A contribution follows, and punch. They drink my health, throw me up again; and because I tell them that the affair with the Suslovskis is settled, they drink Kazia's health also. With that Antek comes to me and says,-- "Dost think, youthful idiot, that they hadn't read the despatch before the young woman wrote to thee?" Oh, the monkey! how gladly I would give him a club on the head. On one side the horizon was growing bright for me; on the other, the devil was darkening it. Anything might be expected of the Suslovskis; but that Kazik[17] should be capable of such calculation! [17] A form of endearment for Kazia. Still it was very likely that they had read the despatch at the waters in the morning, and invited me straightway. At the first moment I want to fly to the Suslovskis, and stand before their eyes. But I cannot leave my company. Meanwhile Ostrynski comes, elegant, cold, self-confident, gloved as usual. Shrewdness is shining from him, as light from a fire, for he is a rogue in full armor. From the threshold he begins to wave his cane protectingly, and says,-- "Congratulations to the master; _I_ too congratulate." He uttered that "I" with an emphasis, as if congratulation from him meant more than from any other man. Perhaps it did really. "How much you have invented!" cried I; "as truly as you see me here, I learned all about myself in 'The Kite.'" "How does that concern me?" asked Ostrynski. "I said nothing about exhibiting the picture either." "But now you do," answered he, phlegmatically. "And he has no mother, so his mother has not grown weak!" cried Voytek Mihalak. "That concerns me little," repeated Ostrynski, with dignity taking off his second glove. "But is the despatch true?" "True." That assurance pacifies me thoroughly. Through thankfulness I pour out punch for him. He puts his lips to the edge of the glass, drinks a sip, and says,-- "First to your health, and a second draught I drink you know to whom. I congratulate you doubly." "Where do you get your information?" Ostrynski shrugs his shoulders. "Suslovski was in the editorial rooms before eight o'clock this morning." Antek begins to mutter something about mean people in general; I can restrain myself no longer; I seize my hat. Ostrynski follows me out; but I leave him on the street; and a couple of minutes later I am ringing at Suslovski's for the second time. Kazia opens the door; her parents are not at home. "Kazia!" ask I, severely, "didst thou know of the despatch?" "I knew," answered she, calmly. "But, Kazik!" "What was to be done, my dear? Do not wonder at my parents; they must of course have some reasonable cause to accept thee." "But thou, Kazia?" "I seized the first opportunity; dost take that ill of me, Vladek?"