Page:Poet Lore, volume 27, 1916.djvu/17

 Réza.—For that red-headed Šimr? Go on!

Dušek.—You needn’t pretend, Réza! Hlaváček saw you again not long since at Glaubic’s. (He laughs.) Réza, Réza, what will the locksmith say to that?

Réza.—Nonsense! You don’t suppose I’m going to run away from him with Šimr?

Dušek.—It’s time Šimr was getting some sense.

Réza.—He? (She laughs.) Mr. Dušek, do you know what happened to us the other day at Glaubic’s? No? Šimr invited us there, me and Božena, and Mr. Vyhlas also went. Each thought the other one had money; particularly Šimr who changed his last crown and ordered fish and pickles besides. It wasn’t till twelve o’clock that they came to a mutual understanding of the fact that together they had only forty-seven kreutzers.

Dušek (Nods his head and speaks quietly).—The good-for-nothings!

Réza.—And Vyhlas had nine beers, you may be sure of that! And Šimr has a previous account there.

Dušek (Displeased).—He’d better attend to his painting!

Réza.—As good luck would have it, that fellow from the vice-regency who sometimes goes with us happened to be there and he loaned the money to Šimr.

Dušek (Inquisitively).—And did Šimr keep on drinking?

Réza (Laughing).—Of course! It ended up at Löffler’s. (A pause.)

Dušek.—Hurry a little, Réza. I’m expecting a caller.

Réza.—Some young ladies, yes?

Dušek (Harshly).—What’s that to you? (A pause during which Dušek paints the lower part of his picture.) Has Šimr given you back that watch?

Réza.—What watch?

Dušek.—Come, come! You pawned your watch when Šimr didn’t have any rent money.

Réza.—And why not? Why shouldn’t I help him? Last year when my mother was sick (She steps out from behind the screen completing the buttoning of her waist.)— Vaniček also loaned me ten florins. We have to help each other—the fine gentlemen won’t help us. (After a while.) To be sure, you don’t have to make debts any more.

Dušek.—No—and is that such a disgrace? Everyone can be glad when he gets out of debt. Only Šimr has the idea that he’d die instantly if he didn’t have debts. (A commotion is heard