eckles and short reddish
hair, hard and seamed with deep lines, resembled a horse's face as
it was reflected in the red glass of the carafe.

Gazing at Janina he saw so much strength and inner health, so many
desires, dreams, and hopes, that he muttered to himself in a hollow,
dissatisfied tone: "What for? . . . What for? . . ."

Then he gulped down another glass of wine and became absorbed in the
general conversation. Voices sounded harshly, faces were red, and
eyes glowed through a mist of alcoholic intoxication, while many
lips were already mumbling indistinctly and incoherently. All were
talking at once, arguing heatedly and quarreling volubly,
unceremoniously swearing, shouting or laughing.

The candles, almost burnt out, were replaced by new ones. Gray dawn,
filtering in through the reed shades in thin streaks, dimmed the
glare of the lights.

The guests rose from the table and scattered about the adjoining
rooms. Cabinska, followed by a few ladies, repaired to the boudoir
for tea. In the first room a few tables were arranged and a game of
cards commenced.

Only Gold still sat at the festal board and ate, relating something
to Glas, who was now quite drunk.

"They are poor people. . . . My sister is a widow with six children;
I help her as much as I can, but that doesn't amount to much. . . .
And, in the meanwhile, the children are growing up and need ever
more . . ." Gold was saying.

"Then cheat us more, you dog's face! . . ."

"The elder is about to take up a medical course, the next in age is
a store clerk and the rest of them are such small and weak and
sickly tots that it pains one to look at them!"

"Then drown them, like puppies! . . . Drown them and be done with
it!" mumbled Glas.

"You are very drunk . . ." whispered Gold scornfully, "you have no
idea what children are! . . ."

"Get married and you'll have kids of your own . . ." stuttered Glas.

"I can't . . . I must first see that these are provided for,"
replied Gold quietly grasping a cup of tea in both hands and sipping
it in little gulps, "I must first make men of them . . ." he added,
his eyes glowing.

All around there was a hum of voices as in a beehive when the swarm
of young bees is ready to fly out into the world. The hidden
desires, envies, feuds, and troubles broke out irresistibly. The
talking grew louder, people were denounced without pardon, slandered
without mercy, reviled and derided without pity. Those assembled
the