Part 1 (2/2)

”What have you shot, Lorand?” I asked half asleep.

”Remain quite still,” said my brother, who was lying in the bed near me, and had risen at the noise. ”I shall see what has happened outside.”

With these words he went out.

Several rooms divided our bedroom from that of our parents. I heard no sound except the opening of doors here and there.

Soon Lorand returned. He told me merely to sleep on peacefully--a high wind had risen and had slammed to a window that had remained open; the gla.s.s was all broken into fragments; that had caused the great noise.

And therewith he proceeded to dress.

”Why are you dressing?”

”Well, the broken window must be mended with something to prevent the draught coming in; it is in mother's bedroom. You can sleep on peacefully.”

Then he placed his hand on my head, and that hand was like ice.

”Is it cold outside, Lorand?”

”No.”

”Then why does your hand tremble so?”

”True; it is very cold. Sleep on, little Desi.”

As he went out he left an intermediate door open for a moment; and in that moment the sound of mother's laughter reached my ears. That well-known ringing sweet voice, that indicates those _nave_ women who among their children are themselves the greatest children.

What could cause mother to laugh so loudly at this late hour of the night? Because the window was broken? At that time I did not yet know that there is a horrible affliction which attacks women with agonies of h.e.l.l, and amidst these heart-rending agonies forces them to laugh incessantly.

I comforted myself with what my brother had said, and forcibly buried my head in my pillow that I might compel myself to fall asleep.

It was already late in the morning when I awoke again. This time also my brother had awakened me. He was already quite dressed.

My first thought was of our visit to the country.

”Is the carriage already here? Why did you not wake me earlier? Why, you are actually dressed!”

I also immediately hastened to get up, and began to dress; my brother helped me, and answered not a word to my constant childish prattling. He was very serious, and often gazed in directions where there was nothing to be seen.

”Some one has annoyed you, Lorand?”

My brother did not reply, only drew me to his side and combed my hair.

He gazed at me incessantly with a sad expression.

”Has some evil befallen you, Lorand?”

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