And as if he had actually heard his words, Mars broke out into laughter and disappeared whistling. But the knocking was soon resumed. It seemed as if some one were tearing off the iron gates and several voices, shouting and interrupting each other, were anxiously speaking; an infant was heard weeping.
“Those must be people who have lost their way...you hear—an infant! We must open the gates.”
“Well, we’ll see,” said Magnus angrily.
“I will go with you, Magnus.”
“Sit still, Wondergood. This friend of mine, here, is quite enough....” He quickly drew that revolver from the table drawer and with a peculiar expression of love and even gentleness he grasped it in his broad hand and carefully hid it in his pocket. He walked out and we could hear the cry that met him at the gate.
On that evening I somehow avoided Maria’s eyes and I felt quite ill at ease when we were left alone. And suddenly I felt like sinking to the floor, and kneeling before her so that her dress might touch my face: I felt as if I had hair on my back, that sparks would at any moment begin to fly if some one were to touch it and that this would relieve me. Thus, in my mind, I moved closer and closer to Her, when Magnus returned and silently put the revolver back into the drawer. The voices at the door had ceased and the knocking, too.
“Who was that?”...asked Maria.
Magnus angrily shook off the drops of rain upon his coat.
“Crazy Mars. Who else did you expect?”
“But I thought I heard you speak to him?” I jested, trying to conceal the shiver produced by the cold brought in by Magnus.