It was our overseer Pink and the gardener's wife. Of
course, I had to dismiss Pink, but it went against the grain to do it.
It is very unfortunate that such affairs almost always occur in the
harvest season. And Pink was otherwise an uncommonly efficient man,
though here, I regret to say, in the wrong place. But enough of that;
Wilke is showing signs of restlessness too."
At dinner von Briest listened better. The friendly intercourse with
Cousin Dagobert, of whom he heard a good deal, met with his approval,
less so the conduct toward Aunt Therese. But one could see plainly
that, at the same time that he was declaring his disapproval, he was
rejoicing; for a little mischievous trick just suited his taste, and
Aunt Therese was unquestionably a ridiculous figure. He raised his
glass and invited his wife and daughter to join him in a toast. After
dinner, when some of the handsomest purchases were unpacked and laid
before him for his judgment, he betrayed a great deal of interest,
which still remained alive, or, at least did not die out entirely,
even after he had glanced over the bills. "A little bit dear, or let
us say, rather, very dear; however, it makes no difference. Everything
has so much style about it, I might almost say, so much inspiration,
that I feel in my bones, if you give me a trunk like that and a
traveling rug like this for Christmas, I shall be ready to take our
wedding journey after a delay of eighteen years, and we, too, shall be
in Rome for Easter.
Pages:
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307