Page:Halek's Stories and Evensongs.pdf/368

 What need of more? What need of elaborate circumlocutions in order that the heart should speak truth?

The heart of those children knew of no such circumlocutions, it spoke thus, and therefore spoke sublimely, nobly, and solemnly, because it spoke the truth.

“I wished to have thee for my wife, and I did not know whether thou wert willing to be my wife, and that fretted me”, said Frank.

“If you had not come for me, I should have had to think where Bartos should delve a grave. And I had already chosen a spot. Where else than yonder”, and she pointed towards her mother’s grave.

And both their hearts heaved with feelings different than a moment before: the sentiment of unexpected bliss exhausted them, and bliss is burdensome before we are accustomed to it.

They took one another by the hand and went into the little house to tell Bartos what they had just told one another.

“I wish to have Staza for my wife and am come to speak about it”, said Frank by way of salutation when they entered.

Bartos measured Frank from head to heal and said, “Good, Staza, go away.”

When Staza was gone, Bartos said, “You know, I suppose, Frank, that Staza is a child not born in wedlock.”

“But all the same, a child”, responded Frank.

“That she does not know, neither do I know, nor perhaps does anybody know, who was her father.”

“Is there any need to know it?” inquired Frank.

“That people will talk about this and will say, ‘Look! there goes Frank Loyka arm in arm with his wife’, and they will laugh at her origin.

“Why should a man trouble himself about an origin?”

“Every one thinks his or her origin the important thing and acts accordingly.”

“And do they mend matters thereby?”

“They do not. But it goes against them when it comes about as in her case.”

“And was she created against the will of the Creator?”

“That I do not know; but if you wish to have her for your wife you ought to be told about it.”

“I see no difference between her and others, and what I see is that she is dearer to me than all the world, let her origin be what it may.”

“Good! call her!”