at Rukkoschin.

LASKOWSKI (informing him). That is the estate that my dearie brought to
me.

PAUL (abruptly). Yes, yes.

LASKOWSKI (laughing). That's a different layout from the sandy blowouts
of Klonowken! Prime soil! And a forest, I tell you, cousin! Over two
thousand acres! One trunk as fine as another! Each one fit for a ship's
mast! If I ever have them cut down! That will put grease into the pan!
Yes, yes, Rukkoschin is a catch that's worth while. We did a good job
of that, didn't we, dearie? (He laughs at ANTOINETTE slyly.)

PAUL. I suppose, dear Laskowski, that no one has ever doubted your
slyness.

LASKOWSKI (strikes his shoulder). Do you see, Doc, now you say so
yourself, and at school you gave me the laugh. That fool Laskowski, so
you thought, he'll never get beyond pounding sand in a rat-hole. Have I
come up a bit in your eyes? How's that, old boy? Shake hands. Pretty
damned long since we have met! (He extends his hand to PAUL, who does
not seem to notice it.)

ANTOINETTE (who has been biting her lips and looking into space during
the words of her husband, suddenly interrupts). We received the
announcement this morning, Mr. Warkentin. We thank you very much.

PAUL (reserved). It was no more than our duty, madam.
LASKOWSKI. Yes, we were very glad, my wife and I ...

ANTOINETTE (quickly). Not to be forgotten!...

LASKOWSKI. You hit the nail on the head, that's what you did, dearie!
_You_ go on and talk. A fellow like myself isn't so handy with his
tongue! But he feels it just the same!

PAUL (grimly). Rather sudden, was it not, madam?

ANTOINETTE. The best thing that one can wish for!

PAUL. Do you think so? I don't know.

LASKOWSKI. Of course. Heart failure's the thing to have!

ANTOINETTE. It grieved me very much.

PAUL. Yes, madam.

ANTOINETTE. You see, he was my guardian.

PAUL. I know it.

ANTOINETTE. Of course we had not seen each other for some time ...

LASKOWSKI. Goodness, dearie, that's the way it goes sometimes! This
fellow's busy and then that fellow's busy ... It's not like in the
city. But everybody knows how you feel about it, just the same. And
then if you do meet in the city, or at the stockyards, or somewhere
else, the jollification is twice as big. Just lately I met your father
in just that way. It's not been four weeks. Met him at the station just
as I was going to town. And the old gent crossed my path and acted as
if he didn't see me. It was right at the ticket wi