Therefore, Sir, here is my hand, and now be
seated and tell me if you accept my proposition.
Leon.--I leave that to you.
Jadwiga.--If that is so, then I must tell you that such an agreement,
based on mutual well-wishing, excludes excessive solemnity. We must be
natural, sincere, and frank.
Leon.--Frankly speaking, it will be a little difficult, still.
Jadwiga.--It would be difficult if there were no condition: "Not a
word about the past!" If we both keep to this, a good understanding
will return of itself and in time we may become good friends. What
have you been doing during the past two years?
Leon.--I have been pushing the wheelbarrow of life, as all mortals
do. Every Monday I have thought that in a week there would be another
Monday. I assure you that there is some distraction in seeing the
days spin out like a thread from a ball, and how everything that has
happened goes away and gradually disappears, like a migratory bird.
Jadwiga.--Such distraction is good for those to whom another bird
comes with a song of the future. But otherwise--
Leon.--Otherwise it is perhaps better to think that when all threads
will be spun out from the ball, there will remain nothing. Sometimes
the reminiscences are very painful. Happily time dulls their edge, or
they would prick like thorns.
Jadwiga.--Or would burn like fire.
Leon.--All-wise Nature gives us some remedy for it.
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