"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!
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.