The Doll - Bolesaw Prus [316]
‘Well,’ say I, ‘if the Jews buy our store, I’ll join in with the rest of you; my fist still carries some weight. But in the meantime, for goodness sake, don’t spread rumours about Wokulski and don’t agitate people against the Jews, because there’s enough bitterness without that.’
I went home with a headache, furious with the whole world. I woke up several times in the night, and each time I dropped off again I dreamed that the Jews had really bought our store, and that I, so as not to starve to death, was going around the courtyards with a barrel-organ on which was written: ‘Take pity on a poor old ex-Hungarian officer.’
Not until the morning did I hit upon one simple and sensible idea, to wit, discuss it firmly with Staś, and if in fact he was going to sell, then to try for another position.
A fine prospect after so many years of service! If I were a dog, at least they’d put a bullet through my head. But a man has to demean himself, uncertain to the end whether he won’t end his days in the gutter.
Wokulski wasn’t in the store that morning, so at about two I went off to see him. Could he be sick? I went into the gateway of the house he lives in, and ran across Dr Szuman. When I told him I wanted to see Staś, he replied: ‘Don’t go. He’s irritable, and had better be left in peace. You’d-better come with me for a glass of tea. Apropos, do I have a sample of your hair?’
‘It seems to me,’ I replied, ‘that I’ll soon be giving you my hair along with the rest of my skin.’
‘Do you want to have yourself stuffed?’
‘I ought to, for no one has yet seen anyone so stupid as I am.’
‘Cheer up,’ Szuman replied, ‘there are stupider people. But what’s the matter?’
‘Never mind what’s the matter with me, but I’ve heard that Staś is selling the store to the Jews … Well, and I won’t work for the likes of them.’
‘What’s this, has anti-Semitism got into you, too?’
‘No; but it’s one thing not to be an anti-Semite, and another to work for the Jews.’
‘So who will work for them, then? For although I’m a Jew, I don’t wear their livery. In any case,’ he added, ‘how did such thoughts get into your head? If the store is sold, you’ll have an excellent position in the company trading with Russia.’
‘That company is uncertain,’ I interposed.
‘Very,’ Szuman agreed, ‘because there are so very few Jews in it, and too many magnates. But that’s no concern of yours, for … don’t give the secret away, though … but it’s no concern of yours what happens to the store and the company, since Wokulski has left you twenty thousand roubles in his will.’
‘Me? In his will? What does this mean?’ I cried, in amazement.
We had just entered Szuman’s apartment, and the doctor ordered the samovar. ‘What does this bequest mean?’ I asked, somewhat uneasy.
‘Bequest! … Bequest! …’ muttered Szuman, walking around the room and scratching the back of his head. ‘What does it mean? I don’t know, it’s enough that Wokulski made it. Clearly he wants to be ready for any eventuality, like all sensible merchants.’
‘Can it mean another duel?’
‘Oh, for goodness sake … Wokulski has too much sense to commit the same folly twice. Only, my dear Mr Rzecki, anyone who is concerned with such a female must be prepared …’
‘With what female? Mrs Stawska?’ I asked.
‘What has Mrs Stawska to do with it?’ said the doctor, ‘I’m thinking of more important game, of Miss Łęcka, whom that madman has fallen hopelessly in love with. He’s beginning to see what sort of a bad egg she is, he’s suffering and fretting, but he can’t break with her. The worst thing is a late love affair, particularly when it hits a fellow like Wokulski.’
‘Whatever can have happened? Only yesterday he was at a dance at the Town Hall.’
‘Of course he was, because she was there, and I was there because the pair of them were. A fine business!’ the doctor muttered.
‘Couldn’t you speak more plainly?’ I asked impatiently.
‘Why not, since everyone knows