She expected him at least to stop as long as at other times to ask what she was cooking; and she would have answered with another question:
"Tell me now, what do you like?"
But he did not even stop: he had come upon her quite by chance, and as he could not avoid her, uttered a mere "good day:" then passed by. He was looking for Topándy.
Topándy was waiting for him in his room and was busy reading a letter he had just opened.
"Well, my boy," he said, handing Lorand the letter, "That is the overture of the opera."
Lorand took the letter, which began: "I offer my respects to Mr. ——"
"This is a summons?"
"You may see from the greeting. The High Sheriff informs me that to-morrow morning he will be here to hold the legal inquiry: you must give orders to the servants for to-morrow."
"Sir, you still continue to take it as a joke."
"And a curious joke too. How well I shall sweep the streets! Ha, ha!"