That
which he had to say, he thought, might be said easier to the father
than to the son.
The door of the house stood open, and Souchey, who, in his confusion,
missed the bell, entered the passage. The little oil-lamp still hung
there, giving a mysterious glimmer of light, which he did not at all
enjoy. He walked on very slowly, trying to get courage to call, when,
of a sudden, he perceived that there was a figure of a man standing
close to him in the gloom. He gave a little start, barely suppressing a
scream, and then perceived that the man was Anton Trendellsohn himself.
Anton, hearing steps in the passage, had come out from the room on the
ground-floor, and had seen Souchey before Souchey had seen him.
"You have come from Josef Balatka's," said the Jew. "How is the old
man?"
Souchey took off his cap and bowed, and muttered something as to his
having come upon an errand. "And my master is something better to-day,"
he said, "thanks be to God for all His mercies!"
"Amen," said the Jew.
"But it will only last a day or two; no more than that," said Souchey.
Pages:
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318