Vaskovski smiled and said, “Thou art on the good road, for thou knowest how to love.”
And all left relieved in some way. Bukatski, if he was thinking of something opposed to what Vaskovski had said, did not dare mention it; for when people in presence of real misfortune seek salvation in faith, scepticism, even when thoroughly rooted, pulls its cap over its ears, and is not only cowardly, but seems weak and small.
Bigiel, who came in at that moment, saw more cheerful faces, and said,—
“I see by you that the little one is not worse.”
“No, no,” said Pan Stanislav; “and the professor told us such wholesome things that he might be applied to a wound.”
“Praise be to God! My wife gave money for a Mass to-day, and went then to Pani Emilia’s. I will dine with you, for I have leave; and, since Litka is better, I will tell you another glad news.”
“What is it?”
“Awhile ago I met Mashko, who, by the way, will be here soon; and when he comes, congratulate him, for he is going to marry.”
“Whom?” asked Pan Stanislav.
“My neighbor’s daughter.”