Page:Poet Lore, volume 27, 1916.djvu/24

 order to be as little as possible in the way of this intimate scene).

Dušek.—And what is driving you out of Prague?

Stáza.—Ka-mi-lo! (She bursts out crying.)

Dušek (Impatiently).—Lord, Lord, such trouble!

Stáza (Seeking with tear-filled eyes, she speaks between sobs).—Mr. Hlaváček, you know it yourself, don’t you? I haven’t come to upbraid Kamilo. If he’d only say one word or move a finger—(She breaks into fresh weeping) haven’t I many, many times wanted to go away, and hasn’t he as often held me back?

Hlaváček (Forcing himself to be calm).—You know, Miss Stázička, what I think about it. I told you yesterday, and I’d give Kamilo a talking to also

Stáza.—I ought to go away, oughtn’t I?

Hlaváček (Remains silent a moment and then says firmly).—Yes!

Dušek (Bursts out).—Hlaváček!

Hlaváček.—Why then did you detain me here?

Stáza (Trying to control herself).—Mr. Dušek—

Dušek (Looking at her).—Do you really want to go away?

Stáza.—Y-e-s!

Dušek.—Stázička, heed wise advice. You are going away on an empty errand, you don’t even know what

Stáza (Interrupts him).—And do I not live emptily here! Just remember, Mr. Dušek—six years! (She weeps again.) I didn’t come to reproach you; we were both young and unwise then (She offers her hand to .) Good-bye!

Dušek.—Stáza, don’t complain afterwards that I deserted you.

Stáza (Touching the photograph which is leaning against the smaller easel and gazes at it intently. Then she seizes it and hands it to ).—Do you think I don’t know all? (Indicates the photograph with her other hand.) You see, that I stand in your way!

Dušek (Bursts out, jerking the photograph from her hand).—For God’s sake, I implore you, Stáza, don’t torment me with this too! You used to be jealous of the models who came here—and now I wouldn’t dare even to paint a woman’s portrait! (Violently.) I paint whom I choose!

Stáza (With bitter calmness).—And I will not hinder you! (She falls into silence for a few moments and then extends her hand to .) Good-bye, Mr. Dušek!