CHAPTER XXXIII.
Which shows what a good thing it is when "publica privatis præcedunt," or, in other words, when public duties take precedence of private affairs.
As the time approached when the return of Valentine Kalondai with the deputation from Pressburg might be reasonably expected, Simplex joined the town watchman, with whom he, as trumpeter, stood on terms of good fellowship, and watched with him for the approach of the sledges.
The carnival was now pretty far advanced, when a postilion arrived to say that the deputation was already on its homeward way, and the town was to send four fresh horses to meet it, so that it might make its solemn entry with due dignity; the four nags which had been hired at Pressburg being by this time splashed up to the very ears with mud.
As the deputies approached the gate, Simplex seized his trumpet—it was the custom when notables drew near to play in their honor a selection of the choicest melodies—and played a tune, the text of which begins with these words:
Hasten, little nag, gallop and fly,
At home thy mistress sick doth lie.
He thought that Valentine would understand the allusion.
And Valentine did understand it, but he would not take the hint. He told the coachman to drive direct to the townhall.
The civic coachman was a very old man. He had many a time driven Valentine's father on the business of the town, and was also very much attached to his son.