The Poor Plutocrats | Page 6

"Why are you angry, and with whom?"
John went on as if he did not mean to tell the cause of his anger. He
flung himself into an armchair, crossed his legs, plunged his hands into
the depths of his pockets and then, starting up, began to pace the room
again.
"I am furious."

"Then what's the matter?" enquired the old man anxiously.
John again flung himself into an armchair and cocked one leg over the
arm of the chair: "It is all that good-for-nothing Hátszegi!" he cried.
"The fellow is a villain, a scoundrel, a robber!"
"What has he done?"
"What has he done?" cried John, leaping to his feet again, "I'll tell you.
Yesterday he sent word to me by his broker that he would like to buy
those houses of ours in the Szechenyi Square which I have offered for
sale. Wishing to save broker's expenses I went to see him myself at
twelve o'clock. Surely that is the most convenient time for paying
business calls. At least I have always supposed so. I entered his
ante-chamber and there stood a flunkey. He told me I must wait! Told
me forsooth--me, John Lapussa--that I must cool my heels in an
ante-chamber, at an inn, to please that wretched Hátszegi. Very well. I
waited. I sent him a message that I would wait. Meanwhile I found I
could not sit down anywhere, for the rascal had piled dirty boots and
brushes on all the chairs. Presently the rascal of a servant came back
and told me that his master could not see me then, would I come back
again in the afternoon--I, John Lapussa, forsooth! Absolutely would not
speak to me, but told me to come again another time! Thou dog, thou
wretched rascal! But wait, I say, that's all!"
At this the old man also grew excited.
"Why did you not box his ears?" cried he.
"I'll do it, and do it well. I'll not stand it. What! send a Lapussa packing!
It cannot be overlooked. I shall immediately go and find two seconds
and challenge him to a duel."
"Nay, John, don't do that! Don't even box his ears in the street, but give
a street-porter ten shillings to cudgel him well as he comes out of the
theatre; that will be best!"
"No, I will kill him. I will shed his blood. He who insults me in a

gentlemanly manner must be shown that I can revenge myself like a
gentleman. I will wipe off the score with pistols--with pistols I say."
The old man and the female members of the family were duly
impressed by this bragging, or rather all except Madame Langai, who
was getting ready for the theatre and took no notice of the general
conversation.
Mr. John was much put out by her indifference. "Matilda," he asked,
"what do you say? Ought I not to fight, after such an insult?"
Madame Langai answered the unavoidable question with a cold smile:
"I would only say that if anyone angers you another time you had better
expend your wrath upon him before dinner, for if you nurse your wrath
till after dinner you spoil the whole thing."
Mr. John listened to her in silence and then resumed his promenade
with his hands behind his back snorting furiously. Suddenly he
snatched up his cap and rushed out.
"John, John, what are you going to do?" the old man called after him in
a supplicating voice.
"You'll very soon see, I'll warrant you," and he banged the door behind
him.
The old man turned reproachfully towards Madame Langai. "Why did
you irritate him when he was mad enough already?" he cried. "What
will you gain by his death? He has a son who will inherit everything,
you know. Yes, everything will belong to little Maksi."
Madame Langai calmly went on tying her bonnet strings.
"I know what fiery blood he has," mumbled the old man. "When he is
angry he will listen to nobody, and is capable of facing a whole army.
We must prevent this duel somehow. And you are actually preparing to
go to the theatre when things have come to such a pass? You are
actually going to see a comedy!"

"The actor Ladislaus plays just the same parts on the stage as John does
off the stage," replied Madame Langai bitterly. "And I am as little
afraid of John's rhodomontade as I am of the result of stage duels. Don't
be afraid! He'll come to no harm."
A lacquey now entered to announce that the coach was ready, and
Madame Langai, adjusting her mantilla, went to the playhouse where
the actors were, at least, amusing.
CHAPTER II
A NEW MODE OF DUELLING
Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day,