Konrad sent
them all off in the large coach. The three young boys couldn’t sit still during
the ride. They had never seen a circus before. Their sisters kept scolding them, and for a few minutes
they’d be quiet.
Jozef watched them and kept remembering his first time at
the circus. His heart beat just as expectantly as those of the boys.
They arrived at the circus grounds and piled out of the
coach. The coachman assured them he’d be back in plenty of time to pick them up
and left.
The commons crawled with people. Girls, in little clusters
were giggling with each other while their youngest siblings played chase
between their legs. A long line had formed at the familiar circus gates.
Before Jozef, too, could place them in line, Henrik pulled
at his sleeve. “Look, Panje Wawrzyniak! They’re selling candy! Can we have some?”
Before Jozef could answer, Maja bent down to her youngest
brother. “All in good time, Henrik.
You’ll get your candy. First, we need to pay the entrance fee.” She took
the two youngest by the hand and followed Jozef who had joined the end of the
line.
Finally in the grounds, Karel and his mother joined them.
The little boys got their candy on a stick, and the group went inside the tent
to find their places.
Once again, Jozef found himself in the front row. Sylwia sat
next to Karel and his mother, the three little boys came next, and then Jozef.
Maja sat next to him on the other side.
The show started. The boys’ eyes grew wide in wonder at the
entrance of the old elephant, and they forgot to finish their candy. The horses
did their paces and delighted the children when they spelled out answers to the
guests’ questions with their hooves. Jerzy, especially, was fascinated with the
dogs, who could bark out a popular song.
Finally an elegant young man in tails entered the ring.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, “We will have a ten-minute break before
the show goes on. Soon you will see the Flying Bufandos, and experience the
marvels of our acrobats and other talented artists!”
The young man left the ring and talked to the citizens in
the first row. Jozef wondered whether he was the manager. He watched his hands
and sure enough, saw a wedding ring. That was it, then. Nina was married and
out of his reach. He told himself to bury all hope, but nevertheless he hoped.
The man came to them. He took Maja’s hand and kissed it,
never looking away from her face. “And how do you like our show, Madame?”
Maja’s voice sounded breathless as she answered. “It’s
Mademoiselle. And I really love it. Thank you so much.”
Reluctantly the man let go of her hand and turned to Jozef,
who assured him the show was great. He went on to the boys, who beleaguered him
with questions.
Jozef wanted nothing more than to rise and leave. But he
couldn’t do that to Konrad and his children, so he stayed.
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