Page:Poet Lore, volume 21, 1910.djvu/469

 Maya.—And do you think that he will obey me?

Votava (quietly).—Yes, because it is for your sake that he wants to leave the seminary.

Maya (surprised).—And did he tell you that?

Votava.—No, he did not, but I dared to infer it. He only said that he had been struggling a long time, that he does not know in whom to confide at first, that he feels sorry for his mother and uncle. That, therefore, he first came to me for advice.

Maya.—And you?

Votava.—Ach. Nonsense, mere nonsense. I soon guessed what was what.

Maya.—And what if you are hurting me?

Votava.—No. I am not. Why? I am not accusing you of anything. You have not done anything, at least, not intentionally. But perhaps unintentionally? (Looks at her searchingly.) Don’t you think so?

Maya {firmly).—Yes, unintentionally. And therefore you are right, doctor. I must not go away now, because I like Petr and I must first destroy the mischief that I have caused. I will take your advice.

Votava.—You will do excellently, Miss Zemanova.

Maya (decided).—Or I ought rather to say I will obey my own resolution.

Kocianova (coming out of the house).

Votava (has noticed her).—Well, and here is Mrs. Kocianova. Miss Zemanova has come to say good by to you, Mrs. Kocianova.

Kocianova (without animation, sadly).—So you are really going, Miss.

Maya.—Yes I am, really.

Votava.—You look very worried, Mrs. Kocianova,—is anything the matter?

Kocianova (bursts into crying).—Ach. God! Doctor (In the church the bell begins to toll again.)

Votava (understands).—Ach, so—I know now. Well, don’t grieve before time. The father is in church, ha? And Mr. Petr also?

Kocianova.—No. He is in the hall.

Votava.—We will go to see him. In the mean time you can say farewell to Miss Maya. But, hurry. In a little while we will have to be going. (Goes into the house.)