The Doll - Bolesaw Prus [130]
‘Let them quit the partnership, then,’ Wokulski muttered, ‘I am not forcing them…’
‘They will do so,’ said the lawyer, with a gesture, ‘if you make just one more mistake…’
‘Anyone would think I had already committed so many…’
‘Upon my word, you take the biscuit,’ the lawyer said angrily, striking his knee, ‘do you know what Count Liciński, that wouldbe Englishman, with his “Dear me, yes,” is saying? He says: “Wokulski is a perfect gentleman, he shoots like Nimrod—but he is no director for commercial enterprises. One day he throws millions into industry, but tomorrow or the next day he will challenge someone to a duel, and risk everything…”’
Wokulski almost pushed his chair back. This charge had not even occurred to him. The lawyer saw the effect of his own words and decided to strike while the iron was hot: ‘So, my dear Stanisław, if you don’t want to spoil such a promising beginning, pray do not go on like this. Above all—do not buy the Łęcki property. If you invest ninety thousand roubles in it, then the partnership will melt away like smoke. If people see you investing a large sum at six or seven per cent, they will lose confidence in the interest you promised them, and even…you understand me…they are ready to suspect…’
Wokulski jumped up from the desk: ‘I want no partnerships,’ he cried, ‘I want no favours from anyone, it is I who grant them to others. If anyone does not trust me, let him check the entire business. He will find out I have not deceived him—but he will be no partner of mine. Counts and Princes have no monopoly of dreams…I have mine too, and do not like anyone interrupting them…’
‘Hush, hush, pray calm yourself, my dear Stanisław,’ the lawyer implored, replacing him in his chair, ‘but you will not refrain from making the purchase?’
‘No, that property is of more value to me than any partnership with all the gentlemen in the world…’
‘Very well, very well…Then perhaps you will let someone else act for you? In the last resort I could even recommend an agent to you, so there would be no risk in securing the property. Most important, though, is not to discourage people. Once the aristocracy have gained an appetite for public affairs, they may become attached to them—and in a year or six months, you may become the nominal owner of the property too. Do you agree?’
‘So be it,’ Wokulski replied.
‘Yes,’ said the lawyer, ‘that will be best. If you buy the property yourself, you would even find yourself in an awkward position vis-à-vis the Łęckis. As a rule, we dislike those who are going to inherit anything from us—that’s one thing. Then again—who would take his oath that various notions haven’t begun taking shape in his heir’s head? Suppose they thought he paid too much or too little for it? If too much—how dare he patronise us? If too little—he has insulted us…’
Wokulski scarcely heard the lawyer’s last words, for he was absorbed by other thoughts, which dominated him still more strongly after the lawyer’s departure. ‘So that’s it,’ he said to himself, ‘the lawyer is right. People are judging me, even passing sentence upon me; but they are doing it behind my back. I know nothing of it. Not until today have many details come to light. For a week already the merchants associated with me have had sour looks, and my opponents are triumphant. Something is amiss in the store, too—Ignacy walks about looking miserable, Szlangbaum is preoccupied. Lisiecki has grown more impertinent than ever before, as if he expects to leave soon. Klein has a wretched expression (a Socialist! He’s angry on account of the races and the duel…), while that nincompoop Zięba is already beginning to fawn upon Szlangbaum…Perhaps he divines the future owner of the store in him? Oh, charming people, indeed…’
He stopped on the threshold of the office and beckoned to Rzecki; the old clerk was indeed somewhat abstracted, and did not look his master in the eye. Wokulski gave him a chair and after sitting a while in the cramped little room, he said: ‘Old fellow! Tell me frankly—what are people saying