Katarynka

I.

On Miodowa Street, around noon, you could meet a gentleman of a certain age who walked from Krasiński Square towards Senatorska Street. In the summer he wore an exquisite navy blue overcoat, gray trousers from a first-class tailor, shoes glistening like mirrors - and - a slightly gray top hat.The gentleman had a ruddy face, gray favorites, and gentle gray eyes. He was bent over, his hands in his pockets. On a clear day he wore a cane under his arm; overcast - carried an English silk umbrella.He was always deep in thought and moved slowly. Around the Capuchins, he piously touched the hat with his hand and crossed the street to see at Pik's how the barometer and thermometer were standing, then he turned back to the right pavement, stopped in front of Mieczkowski's exhibition, looked at Modrzejewska's photographs - and continued walking.On the way, he gave way to everyone and smiled kindly when hit.If when he saw a pretty woman, he would put his eyes on to look at her. But since he was phlegmatic, he was usually disappointed.This gentleman was it - Mr. Tomasz.Mr. Tomasz had been walking along Miodowa Street for thirty years and often thought he was on ita lot of things changed. It was the same for Miodowa Street to think about him.When he was a defense attorney, he ran so fast that no seamstress returning home from the warehouse would have escaped from him. He was cheerful, talkative, kept straight, had hair, and wore a mustache curled up sharply. Even then, he was impressed with fine arts, but he did not spend time on them, because he was crazy about women. It is true that he was lucky with them and was constantly matched. But what if Mr. Tomasz could never find a single moment for a proposal, being busy, if not with practice, then with trysts. From Frania he went to court, from the court he ran to Zosia, whom he left in the evening to eat supper with Józia and Filka.After he became a patron, his forehead, as a result of intense mental work, grew to a crown, and a few silver hairs showed on his mustache. Mr. Tomasz got rid of his youthful fever at that time, he had a fortune and an established opinion as an expert in fine arts. As he still loved women, he began to think about marriage. He even rented a six-room flat, decorated it at his own expense with floors, made upholstery and beautiful furniture - and was looking for a wife.But it is difficult for a mature person to make a choice. This one was too young, and he had loved the other one for too long. The third had charms and proper age, but the wrong temperament, and the fourth had charms, age and appropriate temperament, but ... nowaiting for the patron's proposal, she married a doctor ...Mr. Tomasz, however, did not worry, because there were many virgins. He equipped himself slowly, taking more and more care to ensure that every detail of his apartment had artistic value. He changed furniture, rearranged mirrors, and bought paintings.At last his cleanups became famous. Not knowing when, he created a fine arts gallery, which was visited by curious people in increasing numbers. And that he was hospitable, he made great parties and kept in touch with the musicians, so concert evenings were organized with him, which even ladies honored with their presence.Mr. Tomasz was happy with everything, and seeing in the mirrors that his forehead had already exceeded the cap and reached back to the collar as white as snow, he reminded himself more and more often that, after all, he needed to get married. Especially since he still felt kindness to women.Once, when he was receiving more than usual company, one of the young ladies, looking around the salons, exclaimed:- What paintings ... And what smooth floors! ... The wife of the patron will be very happy."If smooth floors are enough for her happiness," the patron's friend answered in an undertone.Things got very merry in the living room. Mr. Tomasz also smiled, but since then, when anyone mentioned marriage to him, he waved his hand carelessly, saying:- Iii! ...