Gronski looked toward the other end of the table, in the direction of the student, and saw his eyes, strained, refractory, and glistening, fastened upon Marynia.
"Aha!" he thought, "he actually is trying his powers upon her."
He frowned and, addressing her, said:
"Nobody in truth knows what hypnotism is. We see its manifestations and nothing more. But how did Laskowicz explain it to you?"
"He told me what I already had heard before; that the person put to sleep must perform everything which the operator commands, and even when awakened must submit to the operator's will."
"That is untrue," said Gronski.
"And I think likewise. He claimed also that he could put me to sleep very easily, but I feel that he cannot."
"Excellent! Do such things interest you?"
"Hypnotism a little. But if it is to be anything mysterious, then I prefer to hear about spirits; especially do I like to hear the stories which one of our neighbors relates about fairies. He says they are called sprites, and indulge in all kinds of tricks in old houses, and they can be seen at night time through the windows in rooms where the fire is burning in the hearth. There they join hands and dance before the fire."
"Those are gay fairies."