20 -- The Priest Meets Konrad's Daughter

A heavy-set lady entered, wearing a dress of the latest fashion and a delicate embroidered shawl. Three younger women came after her, one carrying a baby, and then three little boys. Konrad pointed to the older woman. “My wife, Marta Grazynia.”

Marta genuflected and Jozef bowed to her.

“And this is my eldest daughter, Maja Roza.”

Jozef stared at Maja. She was about his age and heavyset, like her mother. But her eyes! They were beautiful, a dark brown, set off with long black lashes. Her dark hair escaped her bonnet in tiny curls. Maja gave him a bright smile and his heart constricted at a memory. He shook the memory off and listened to Konrad.

“My eldest son, Manfred, isn’t here right now, but this is his wife and son, Asia and little Florian.” He turned to the other girl. “My younger daughter, Sylwia, and my other sons, Henrik, Jerzy, and Joachim.”

Introductions made, the family left.

Konrad led Jozef to the little house adjacent to the main building. A young man opened the door. “This is Mariusz, your man servant.” Marius glanced at him and bowed, then led them into the building.

They entered a small foyer from which several rooms led off. Konrad showed him a tiny kitchen. “One of our cook will prepare your meals. Mariusz will introduce you later and you can let them know your preferences.” He opened another door. A bed stood under a window, with a chest of drawers, a closet, and a nightstand near it. An easy chair stood at the foot of the bed.

Another room turned out to be a living room with a sofa and an easy chair, and the last room would be Jozef’s office. Konrad entered, sat down at the desk, and opened the ledger. For the next two hours, he showed Jozef the condition his lands were in and the problems he expected him to solve.

Jozef immersed himself in the project. Finally, this was something that would make a difference in other people’s lives. Not only his master, but also the peasants in town who were working for Konrad would be affected by the decisions Jozef would make. Being here felt right to Jozef.