"You, something on your mind?" he laughed. "Well, that's a nice state of affairs, when even little boys have things on their minds!"
I stirred my cup of coffee vigorously with my spoon, so as not to have to look his reverence in the face, and told him the story of the game of cards on the altar.
Contrary to all my expectations, the priest remained quite calm. Then he asked:
"Did you do it wilfully? Did you intend to mock the holy altar?"
"Good God, no, your reverence!" I replied, thoroughly shocked at the mere thought.
"Very well," said the old man.
Then he was silent for a little while and finished his coffee, after which he spoke as follows:
"It was not a proper thing to do; let me tell you that at once. And I will let Kaunigl know also that what people take to church is prayer-books and not playing-cards! But, if you had no bad intention in doing this silly trick, we will say no more about it this time. At any rate, you did quite right to tell me. Would you like a drop more?"
As the Corpus Christi incident was now closed in the best possible way, the second cup of coffee tasted twice as good as the first. When, presently, I got up to go, the old man laid his hand on my shoulder and said, kindly:
"I feel easier now that I know exactly what happened on that Corpus Christi Day. But you must never do it again, Peterkin. Just think,—our dear Lord!…"