Page:Ivan Cankar - Hlapci.pdf/72

 Geni. Onto a christian route.

Lojzka. My dear, greetings! It is you, the farewell from the Under-earth! The tear has barely dried out. ..

Lojzka. Where do you come from, arriving in these hills of darkness?

Hvastja. I came to think how those who roam may value a word of calm above any coins; thus I arrive.

Lojzka. To comfort. . . Do not resent, poor soul, for we have killed you!

Hvastja. Those who have a wife and a triplet of children never commit the sin of murder.

Lojzka. Hence you have brought us a beating heart in the cloaked pack you carry?

Hvastja. It was so. . . I think. . . The heart and belief and such – that which suits the youth. Let the young party! I have since aged; I have married and I now have three children. For me, belief is like a cherry: where am I to put it when there is no cake?

Lojzka. It is thus better for one to refrain from the cherry – because of the cake.

Hvastja. Truly. At first it feels sinful, later questionable; finally, it becomes natural. When one is married and has three children, they are struck, erudite. . . Any wording, be it seemingly fancy and excellent, is always a metaphor for bread.

Lojzka. Truly, The Evangelism of Willful Servitude is bitter. Why live?