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 like a whirlwind, bringing a jug of beer, a plate of bread and butter, and the salt-cellar.

“I heard the reverend father of Záluz̓í talking here,” she began, spreading a napkin before him on the table, “and I thought a little refreshment might be agreeable after the walk, even though it is nothing better than bread and a glass of beer.”

“Thank you,” said Cvok. “Indeed, to tell the truth, I am beginning to feel a little hungry.”

“It is gladly given,” added Regina; and as she retreated to the kitchen, she gave another significant glance at Ledecký. He looked for his pipe in the corner, stuffed it, and lit it.

Puffing away, he then went on: “As we are once at it, ’tis as well to have it out. When a person comes to see of you, and wants to put his stick out of his hand in a corner, there’s sure to be a heap of books there already; if he wants to lay his hat down on a bed, ’tis all covered over with newspapers and magazines lying about; if he wants to sit down, there is a pile of books on the chair, and another on the table. Books and again books everywhere! What is the use of all that rubbish? I take an almanack and our one clerical paper, and have more than enough in them. Why do you throw away your money on secular books? As your income is so low, I’m sure you must have a fine bill at the bookseller’s?”

“I pay him with potatoes,” replied Cvok, carelessly.

“With potatoes!” exclaimed the other. “Who ever heard of such a thing?

“I’ll explain, ”began Cvok. “When, after being a curate for eighteen years, I at last got the small living of Záluz&#787;í, I thought to myself, ‘Now, as you are at last happily your own master, you’ll buy the necessary books,