Page:Poet Lore, volume 21, 1910.djvu/436

 Petr.—Impossible, madam, I was born here.

Maya.—You don’t tell me—but then you did not say Mass.

Petr.—I don’t say it, even now, madam. I have not yet been ordained.

Maya.—Is that so? I thought that you were the local pastor.

Petr.—Oh,no—I am only a theological student.

Maya.—Ach. So. You are only a bachelor, only, ha? (Laughing.)

Petr (smiles).—Yes, only a bachelor, dear madam.

Maya (laughing).—Well, then, I am not a madam, as yet either.

Petr (embarrassed).—Pardon me, Miss.

Maya (still jolly).—Who can help it that I look like a married lady. (After awhile.) And if you please, Mr.—Mr.—see, now I don’t know what title to give you. May I not call you “reverend sir”?

Petr.—My name is Kocian, Miss.

Maya (lightly).—Delighted. Is not that priest here any more, who used to be here years ago? I have such a bad memory for names.

Petr.—My uncle has served in this place for almost twenty-six years.

Maya (with warmth).—Your uncle?

Petr.—Yes, Pater Ian Matoush.

Maya.—Yes! Yes! Father Matoush. But, God in heaven, is your name Petr?

Petr (surprised).—Really, Miss, Petr is my name.

Maya.—Petr! Petr! (Shakes his hand cordially.) And did you not recognize me?

Petr (embarrassed).—You—Miss?

Maya.—Not even by my name? Ah, of course, the name I gave you is of later date. That is my stage name. You know I am an actress.

Petr (involuntarily releases her hand).—Is that so?

Maya (laughing).—But did not you get frightened! (More seriously.) My real name is Marie Preisova—but I am entirely used to the other name.

Petr (suddenly remembering).—Marie Preisova. (Quickly.) Your father worked on our church, here, did he not?

Maya (cordially).—And during that time I was the ward of the