The Doll - Bolesaw Prus [311]
Of course, voices of sympathy were raised in the court room, and Mrs Stawska’s cook burst into tears. Embarrassed, the judge interrupted the sitting and, with a nod to Wokulski (how comes it they are acquainted?) went into his office, while two porters almost carried out the unfortunate young man, who this time really resembled a dead body.
Not until he was laid on a bench in the vestibule, and one of those present declared he should be sprinkled with water, did the sick man suddenly sit up and say, threateningly: ‘Come, now! No silly jokes, if you please.’
With this he at once put on his coat, energetically pulled on his shabby galoshes and quit the court with a light step, much to the confusion of the porters, the accused and the witnesses.
At this moment, a court official approached our bench and whispered to Wokulski that the judge would be pleased to have him to lunch. Staś went out, but Mrs Misiewicz began calling to me with desperate signals: ‘Oh dear me! Oh goodness!’ said she, ‘Do you know why the judge has summoned that most noble gentleman? He wants to tell him that Helena is lost! Oh, that wicked Baroness must have great friends in high places! She’s already won one case, and no doubt it will be the same with Helena. Oh, woe is me! Do you happen to have any cordial drops, Mr Rzecki?’
‘Are you poorly, madam?’
‘Not yet, though there’s such a smell in here … I’m terrible afraid for Helena’s sake … If they sentence her, she will certainly swoon and perhaps die if we don’t bring her around quickly. Don’t you think it would be a good idea, Mr Rzecki, if I were to beg the judge on my knees to …’
‘Quite unnecessary, madam. Our lawyer has just said that the Baroness may want to withdraw the charge, but it’s too late.’
‘But if we too yield?’ cried the old lady.
‘Come, not that, my dear madam,’ I exclaimed, somewhat impatiently, ‘either we leave the court completely cleared, or …’
‘We shall perish! Is that what you were going to say?’ the old lady interrupted. ‘Oh, don’t say so … You don’t even know, sir, how disagreeable it is at my age to hear death mentioned.’
I retreated from the despairing old lady and went to Mrs Stawska: ‘How do you feel?’
‘Very well,’ she replied energetically, ‘though last night I was terribly frightened; but now, after confession, I breathe more easily, and since I’ve been here I’ve been quite calm.’
I pressed her hand long … long … in the way that only true lovers press hands and hurried to my place, for Wokulski, followed by the judge, had come back into court.
My heart was beating like a hammer. I looked around. Mrs Misiewicz was evidently praying with her eyes shut, Mrs Stawska was very pale but firm, the Baroness was tugging at her wrap and our lawyer eyed the ceiling, stifling a yawn.
At this moment Wokulski too looked at Mrs Stawska, and — may the devil take me! — if I didn’t see an expression of sentiment in his eyes rarely to be found there. After a few more trials like this, I’m sure he’ll fall desperately in love with her.
The judge went on writing for a while, and when he had finished he informed those present that Krzeszowska’s case against Mrs Stawska over the theft of a doll would be heard. He called both parties and their witnesses into the centre.
I took my stand by the benches, consequently I was able to overhear the conversation of two old biddies, of whom the younger and red-faced one was explaining to the elder: ‘Now, just look: that pretty lady stole the other lady’s doll.’
‘Fancy coveting a doll!’
‘Well, never mind that. Not everyone can steal a mangle.’
‘It was you as stole the mangle,’ said a coarse voice from behind them, ‘him as takes