CHAPTER XXIII.
THE ACCOMMODATION It was now the seventh time that Mr.John Lapussa had informed Mr.Sipos that he wanted to see him and for the seventh time word was sent back that the lawyer could not come.

Why could he not come?
They could not say.

Finally a message was delivered to the effect that the lawyer could not come either that day, or the next, or indeed on any other day in the whole year.

In a word Mr.Sipos declined to have anything more to do with the Lapussa family or its affairs.

Their transactions were not at all to his taste.
So, as Mr.Sipos would not appear at the summons of Mr.John Lapussa, Mr.John Lapussa must needs call upon Mr.Sipos.
He was wearing mourning in his hat and tried hard to lend his face a funereal appearance also.
"Have you heard the news ?" he asked.
Mr.Sipos had heard nothing.
"Don't you see the mourning in my hat?
Alas! my poor niece, unhappy Henrietta!" "Well, what has happened ?" "Hatszegi has been drowned in the Maros." "Impossible, he was a first-rate swimmer." "His horse ran away with him, he had lost all control over it.