Page:Poet Lore, volume 21, 1910.djvu/450

 needed and she will be all right again. What would you have? She is not a girl any longer, and she is still all hustle and bustle.

Matoush.—Well, she feels much better than she did before Miss Preisova came. Has she a fever?

Votava.—Hardly any. Thirty-seven six—in the morning it will be normal again.

Maya (in the doorway).—If you please, Mr. Petr, have you some fresh water? Maminka would like a drink.

Petr.—Immediately, immediately. (Hurries into the house; both exeunt.)

Matoush.—That will not harm her.

Votava.—Ah, let her drink. She ought not to get up to-morrow, though. I will be here to-morrow morning or in the afternoon; I have two patients in Pravovitz and so I shall have to pass here anyhow.

Matoush.—Did Petr complain to you, doctor?

Votava.—Why, is he also sick?

Matoush.—For about two days he has been complaining of headache. Maybe it comes from the heat. But somehow or other he seems changed a little. He is so excitable lately, and he was not so before.

Votava.—Ach. That will pass.

Matoush.—If it is only not some inner discontent! In a few weeks he will be going about again, and I would dread any difficulties for him in his last year. God be my witness, doctor! Urge him to enter the seminary? On the contrary, I told him to think it over seriously. Even the other day. But the boy, it seemed, was quite reconciled to his fate.

Votava.—Well, if it did not explode until now, I don’t think it will explode. If he was twenty years old it would perhaps be serious, but as it isBesides, he was brought up on that. Since his early years he has heard what he was going to be, and your life course undoubtedly was a fit precedent for him, so that he was not likely to strive for anything else. I do not believe in these sudden changes. (Again looking at his watch.) But, reverend sir, hora ruit. It is already half past seven and I wanted to see some one in Pravovitz.

Maya (coming out of the parsonage).

Votava.—We have stayed here too long, Miss, and I have to go to Pravovitz yet. It will be dark before we’ll get home.

Maya (jolly).—Ah, for my part—as long as you will give me a ride!