could we not adopt one of those lonely children who have no home? And it would be more lively for us, Magda. . . .’
Magda did not answer; but the heaving of her breast showed the deep emotion in her soul, and what a storm of thoughts and conflicts her husband’s words had roused.
‘You do not answer, Magda, you do not agree? You do not care about it?’
‘Do as you wish.’ Her words were almost inaudible.
‘Ah, I knew you would not thwart me, Magda,’ said Ivan gently. ‘And if you should be thinking about your people, believe me, in case I should die unexpectedly no one will be curtailed by this increase in our family. I have made provisions for everybody as well as you. Look,’ he continued eagerly, ‘some little boy who has neither father nor mother shall find them in us. Would you like me to look out for a curly little fellow like this one?’
Magda’s hand was trembling in his. ‘As you like, Ivan; yes, I agree.’
Ivan was silent, then he began again: ‘Or would you rather have a little girl? A little creature whose mind would begin to open out when she lived with us; she would soon get used to us and would see her parents in us
288 F3
