"Ah, that would be the only thing needful! Let Mamma only think that in such a case I would be terribly hampered and certainly would not gain anything."
After which he kissed her hand and said:
"No, no! Mamma does not understand that matters would be worse and, if Mamma insists, then I would rather not go at all."
Gronski propped his head upon his hand and thought that it was easier to analyze at a desk the various phases of life than to offer sound advice in the presence of urgent events. Dolhanski at last stopped playing baccarat with himself and said:
"The position we are placed in passes all comprehension. But were we in any other country, the police would be summoned and the matter would end in a day."
To this Ladislaus replied with some anger:
"As for that, permit me! I will not summon the police; not only not against those peasants, but not even against those forbidden figures who now haunt Rzeslewo. No, never!"
"Very well; long live an epoch of true freedom!"
"Who knows," said Gronski, "but that the summoning of the police would just suit these gentlemen?"
"In what way?"