t themselves with gazing on the
cocoanut, consoling themselves with the thought that someone else
will show them how to do it."

Their conversation was interrupted by the entrance of the owner of
the house. A confused murmur arose from those assembled. Cabinska
went forward to greet her with extended hand and the mien of
resplendent majesty.

"It is a pleasure to meet you! . . a real pleasure!" she announced
with a faint smile, condescendingly extending her hand to the
persons whom Cabinska introduced to her. She sought to appear coldly
indifferent, while in reality she had been dying from curiosity ever
since the morning to view these noted women about whom she had heard
so much.

Cabinski approached her smiling, with wine and cakes in his hand,
but Pepa was already inviting all to sit down to supper.

The landlady excused herself for being late, but her thin voice was
drowned amid the hubbub of the guests seating themselves at the
table. She was given an honorary place between Pepa, Majkowska, and
the editor. Kotlicki seated himself at the end of the table
alongside of Janina, while Wladek wedged himself in between Janina
and Zielinska.

After a toast pronounced by the editor in honor of the celebrant,
conversation burst forth like a cascade and with unrestrained flow
filled the entire room. All began to talk at the same time, to laugh
and to joke. Inebriation began to envelop all brains in a rosy mist
of merriment and to weave joy around all hearts.

In the middle of the supper the doorbell rang violently.

"Who can that be?" asked Cabinska. "Nurse, go and open the door!"

The nurse was busy about a side table where the children were
eating; she went immediately to open the door.

"Who came?" inquired Cabinska.

"Oh, nobody! Only that unchristened little goldfish!" she answered
scornfully.

Those sitting nearest burst out laughing.

"Ah, yes. Our dear and invaluable Gold!"

Gold entered and bowed to the company, tugging at his sparse, yellow
little beard.

"How are you, goldfish?"

"Hey there, Treasurer! Oh pearl of treasurers, come over to us."

The treasurer bowed, paying no attention to the jibes that were
hurled at him.

"Mrs. Directress will pardon me for coming late, but my family lives
in the Jewish quarter and I really had to stay with them till the
end of the Sabbath," he explained to Cabinska.

"Have a seat, sir. If you can't eat, you're at least allowed to
drink," invited Cabinski