Mokry drank to the health of the lady of the house, and then Mravucsán stood up a second time to return thanks in his wife's name. He remarked that, to their great disappointment, one of those invited had been unable to come, namely, Mrs. Müncz, who had at the last moment had an attack of gout in her foot, which was no wonder, considering the amount of standing and running about she did when there was a fair in their town. Then they all emptied their glasses to the health of the old Jewess.
After the shouts of acclamation had died away, Wladin Szliminszky called out:
"Now it is my turn!"
"Wladin, don't make a speech!" cried his wife. "You know it is bad for your lungs to speak so loud."
But she could do nothing now to prevent him; a henpecked husband is capable of everything; he will button or unbutton his coat, eat or drink to order, but refrain from making the speech his brain has conceived he will not; at least, it has never yet been heard of in the annals of Hungarian history.
"I take up my glass, gentlemen, to drink to the fairest flower of the company, beloved by God, Who on one occasion sent down His servant from Heaven, saying: 'Go down at once, Peter, with an umbrella; don't let the child get wet.' Long life to Miss Veronica Bélyi!"
Veronica was as red as a rose, especially when the guests all got up one after the other, and went and kissed her hand; some of them even knelt to do it, and pious Mrs. Mravucsán bent down and kissed the hem of her dress.
Gyuri thought at first on hearing Wladin's peculiar speech that the good man had gone mad, and now seeing every one following his example, was more surprised than ever, and a strange feeling crept over him.
"What miracle is it your husband is referring to?" he asked, turning to Mrs. Szliminszky.
That good lady looked at him surprised.