Page:Ivan Cankar - Hlapci.pdf/54

 Another worker: He has already been given a lesson, poor man.

Jerman. Isn't the air a little clammy?

Kalander. It is a neat autumn day; not many are couthy like this one.

Jerman. It may be just me. . . I had a bad sleep; my head has been heavy since the sunrise. Shall we remain in solitude, this gathering will be short and to the point. Let's discuss quietly and alone; how stringent the times we live are, how much more swingeing the hamlets we have domiciled are. . . Let's further discuss how we cannot remold the times nor the hamlets. One cannot impede hail nor deaden spree into fructuous soil. . . I have discerned them on my way before I entered this inn: they were gone to do litanies, to heil Christ, Mary and other saints. Yet there was so much mud in their eyes one would avoid them by a kilometer or so. Saint Francis taught the cattle to have love for one another; these hybrids cannot learn.

Kalander. Sir, do not preach like so. Tell the bastard they're a bastard; they will take their blade and slash your skull in two, saying: "One thing I am not is a bastard!"

Jerman. Be welcome, Mayor!

Mayor. There are plenty of you, brothers!

Kalander. There was no need to welcome this rat. . . Chubby swine who occluded their windows when the purposeful procession went by!