The Strange Story of Rab Ráby

by Mór Jókai

...money, so that if a well-to-do purchaser buys a herd of sheep and has Pg 179 not the price forthcoming, he leaves his silver knife and fork (which he carries about with him) as a pledge, and the seller knows well enough they will be redeemed in due course. Towards mid-day, the "market-kitchen" becomes thronged. Here too the famous gipsy stew needs no advertising, for its savoury odour betrays its whereabouts, and it only wants good wine to wash it down to make it complete. But this same good wine is dear, and only for the gentry. The Velencze people have already annexed a table near the bar, and sit round it and listen to their favourite "See I will drink with you, So I can clink with you A glass of good But if you do not choose, To pledge, I'll not refuse Alone to empty mine." But now come the Bicske contingent, each one of whom brandishes a huge weighted stick, or copper axe, while their neighbours have already deposited their weapons on the table. These late-comers observe that the others have already annexed the best table, and proceed accordingly. "You gentlemen from Velencze have come early," growls Bogn

84 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Mór Jókai, born Móric Jókay de Ásva, outside Hungary also known as Maurus Jokai or Moriz Jokai, was a Hungarian dramatist and novelist. He was born in Komárom, the Kingdom of Hungary (today Komárno, Slovakia, southern part remains in Hungary).

Reviews

[Noémi Beer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Very funny and witty irony!
Amaizing how the Hungarian Society didn't change for so many centuries.

[Ildikó · Rating 5 out of 5]

Klasszikus.
Szeretem Jókait.
Aki nem szereti, ne olvassa.