A Promise

I made a promise to Katharina Gilowska, who is now thirty-seven years of age and unmarried. Sometimes when I look into her face, I see my own reflection - one or two faint lines around the eyes - the weariness of wear and tear, a thinning of the lips and hair. Well then. I have offered her my second child when it is born and she has accepted, but of course it was a jest on both our parts. N.