"Sowinska has just requested me to tell you that she will not return for an hour. She is at the director's house."
"Well then, let us go."
"Perhaps your bouquet is in the way, let me carry it for you . . ." he said, extending his hand to take the flowers.
"Oh no, thank you . . . ." answered Janina.
"It must be very precious! . . ." he said, emphasizing his words with a laugh.
"I don't know how much it costs," she answered coldly, showing no disposition to converse with him.
Wladek laughed, then he spoke about his mother and finally said: "Perhaps you will come to see us? My mother is ill and for a few days she has not left her bed."
"Your mother is ill? Why, I saw her in the theater to-day."
"Is that possible!" he cried in real confusion. "I give you my word that I was certain she was ill . . . for my mother told me that for a few days she has not risen from her bed."
"My mother is trying some scheme on me . . ." he finally added with a frown.