"'He is no more for me
Than Ignatsi—'"
"Let us drink again!"
They drank again. Repa grew calm somehow, and sat down on the bench; that moment the door opened, and on the threshold appeared the green cap, the upturned nose, and the goatee of the secretary.
Repa, who had his cap pushed to the back of his head, threw it at once on the floor, stood up and bellowed out:
"Be praised."
"Is the mayor here?" asked the secretary.
"He is!" answered three voices.
The secretary approached, and at the same moment flew up Shmul, the shopkeeper, with a glass of arrack. Zolzik sniffed it, made a wry face, and sat down at the table.
Silence reigned for a moment. At last Gomula began,