"'I really couldn't say,' answered Kornel. 'But I should think not.'
"'H'm; and you think a Kafir could not be taught to make them?'
"Kornel laughed. 'I should be sorry to try,' he said.
"My father pondered on that for a while, smoking strongly and glancing from time to time at me.
"'I'm growing an old man,' he said at last, 'and old men are lonely at the best.'
"'Some seem to wish it,' said Kornel.
"'I say they are lonely,' repeated my father sharply. 'I have no wife, and I cannot be bothered with getting another at my time of life.' He shook his gray head sadly. 'Not that I should have to look far for one,' he added, however.
"Kornel laughed, and my father looked at him angrily.
"'If it had not been for you,' he said, 'I should still have had my daughter Christina to live with me. I am tired of being alone, and I cannot nurse the wrong done me by my own flesh and blood. You and Christina had better come out to the farm and live with me.'
"'And leave my business?' asked Kornel.