As I said, altogether comfortable and cosy.
We sat down in the corner, and a maid brought cigars.
The cigars were no good, but the smoke curled so merrily in the sunshine that I did not pay much attention to their burning away like matches.
I wanted to begin to talk about my business, but Krakow laid his hand on my shoulder and said:
"After the coffee!"
"If you please, Krakow," I said.
"After the coffee!"
I courteously enquired about his farming and pretended great interest in his innovations, about which he boasted extravagantly, though they were as old as the hills to me.
Then the Baroness came in.
A fine old piece. A slender dame. Long narrow blue eyes, silver hair under a black lace cap, a melancholy smile, fine yellow hands. A bit too dainty for a country gentlewoman, and especially for such a boor of a husband.