A maid interrupted the three conversationalist in the library to announce dinner. Bill Langtree, Pasha Racz and Pasha's Grandfather, Marek Racz proceeded to the dining room. One of Marek's daughters and her husband were already there. His other daughter, husband and a friend were still on their way down. Marek, being the family patriarch, directed everyone to their chairs while they waited. After a respectable delay, he decided to have them all be seated. The stragglers would be there soon enough. Marek commented that the one daughter always loved to be 'fashionably late'. The stragglers showed up just as the maids began to circle the table to dish out food from the steaming hot trays that had been sitting on the side tables. There was a fine assortment of meats and vegetable dishes. Breads fresh from the oven. All the other accouterments that make up a fine meal were present along with several fine wines and other beverages. Soon, everyone was relaxed and enjoying the effects of this sumptuous dinner. Grandfather told stories of when he was a youngster. He had been kidnapped by gypsies. It was an exciting two week adventure. The tribe traveled all over the countryside plying their trades and entertaining villagers along the way. His father had been in a frenzied rage at the kidnapping and had scoured the countryside with a small army searching for Marek. When they found him, young Marek was so entranced by the gypsies that he didn't want to leave them. His father would have killed the gypsy leader but Marek pleaded with his father not to and in the end, his father and the gypsy leader became good friends. Later, Marek fell in love with one of the gypsy maidens and wound up marrying her. She and Marek had three children, a boy (Pasha's father) and two girls. Marek's father, being a wealthy aristocrat, had contributed much to help their country during the first world war. It cost the family greatly. Marek's father tried unsuccessful to recoup what had been lost during the war. With their fortune gone, the castle fell into disrepair. Marek's father died of despair and Marek became head of the family. He was forced to sell of much of the property just to keep food on the table. They were very tough times for them all but somehow they survived. The next world war saw some major damage done to the castle. The Germans had even occupied it for a time and left it mostly in a shambles when they fled from the allies. Marek and his family had fled to England for the war's duration. When they returned, they were aghast at the damage done to the castle. But they rolled up their sleeves and went to work. Everyone pitched in and did what they could to repair the old castle. Soon, there were people knocking at the door wondering if they could see the old place. It wasn't long before there was a steady stream of 'visitors', willing to pay to see the castle. With that money, they were able to make more repairs to the castle. Marek was able to send his son to college where he became an engineer with great talent. His son, Pasha's father, invented many clever new electronic devices which he patented and started an electronics business which has now grown into quite a corporation in Budapest. Pasha's father likes to keep his family involved in the business so that is why they all live in Budapest and not the castle. Meanwhile, Grandfather Racz stays on as caretaker of the old castle along with his two daughters and their husbands. It has become quite the local institution, that stays involved with the surrounding communities all of which once belonged to the Racz family estate in former times. It is a rich heritage they are all proud of. Thank you for taking a peek! Your support is greatly appreciated!