"It is not your habit to be drunk."
"What do you know? I'm fairly uproarious once I begin at it. It was a foolish idea of yours, old fellow."
"Well, do you know what? Put the meeting first, after that the carousal."
"I have told you once for all that we shall make no bargains, sir advocate. No transactions here, sir advocate!"
"Don't 'sir advocate' me!"
"Wait a moment. If you could be so cursedly exact in your calculation of days, I shall complete your astronomical and chronological studies. Take out your watch and compare it with mine. It was just 11:45 by the convent clock in Pressburg, when you gave me your word. To-morrow evening at 11:45 you are free from your obligation to me: then you can do with me what you like."
I found his tone very displeasing and turned aside.
"Well don't be dispirited," said Lorand, drawing me towards him and embracing me. "Let us not be angry with each other: we have not been so hitherto. But you see the position I am in. I have gathered together a pack of dissolute scamps and atheists, not knowing you would bring mother with you, and they have been my faithful comrades ten years. I have passed many bad, many good days with them: I cannot say to them 'Go, my mother is here.' Nor can I sit here among them till morning with religious face. In the morning we shall all be 'soaked.' Even if I conquer the wine, my head will be heavy after it. I have need of the few hours I asked you for to collect myself, before I can step into my dear ones' presence with a clear head. Explain to them how matters stand."
"They know already, and will not ask after you until to-morrow."
"Very well. There is peace between us, old fellow."