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 “I see,” smiled Jiří, “the whole Ward will soon be depending upon you. You will have more orders than the best tailor in Prague. Your whole house will be a small store for children’s clothing!”

“Laugh as much as you please! I would not mind that. If only my eyes would serve me hetter O Lord, that is my pleasure, my amusement. Jiříček, I just wanted to ask you what we are to do this year about going into the country? When shall we leave? It is already hot, and half of Prague is already away.”

“Foolish woman, what is it that drives you out into the country? A fine life it is! To sit in a room, where through the windows you may smell manure. At night the frogs croak you to sleep. In the morning there is the cock. No end of flies everywhere. And then the gossips of the best local society, of Mrs. Judge, Mrs. Taxcollector, Mrs. Doctor. And those homely, awkward