Page:Poet Lore, volume 21, 1910.djvu/455

 Maya (decisively).—Ach well, reverend sir, you yourself said that it is too late. Petr’s life is already cooling and forming into a consecrated bell. Let us drop these thoughts. It is not given to Petr to be different, so let us at least wish him perfect peace in his even though joyless life. Perhaps a time will come when even I will envy him.

Matoush.—You?

Maya.—Perhaps it is a mere reaction—but I do not resist. Perhaps it is frivolous. But grant me that pleasure. In a few days everything will be ended, anyway. And then I will long for this moment,—in my spare time,—and I will say to myself that to-day was a holy moment of my life.

Matoush.—Really?

Maya.—Yes—and for all that I wish to thank you, reverend sir, most cordially. (Gives him her hand.)

Petr (coming out of the house).

Matoush.—How is maminka?

Petr.—She is sleeping quietly and her breath is regular. Thank God! I watched her for a long time. The poor thing. I only hope that she will be well to-morrow.

Maya.—Of course she will. You will see how happy she will be when she wakes up to-morrow morning.

Petr.—Are we not going to supper, uncle? Barushka is getting it ready alone.

Matoush.—Let her get it ready before the doctor comes back for Miss Zemanova. (Looks at his watch.) Well, there is no hurry. He hardly has reached Pravovitz yet. (Sincerely.) See, Miss Maya, one does not know what to choose. There! Take a doctor. Every one thinks a doctor is what not? But what does such a country doctor amount to. Dr. Votava complains quite often, does he not, Petr?

Petr.—Of course, a country doctor. But a doctor in a city, in Prague, for instance, there is no comparison. My friend Breicha, do you know him, uncle, from Chernikow, he is already a privatdocent. He graduated from the gymnasium some years before I did, to be sure, but he is no older than I am.

Matoush (somewhat surprised).—Surely, surely, my dear fellow, but not all the doctors can be privatdocents. Among my school mates one is already a bishop, and from my class many have become deans, archdeans, and canons. Well! and I am a parson in Luschitz