Page:Poet Lore, volume 27, 1916.djvu/48

 Why, do you think society will have had enough of you when you will have had enough of my painting?

Dušek (Confused).—Oh, no! I have come from another sort of world and I will know, that I’d very soon have to leave this one forever if it were not for that happy chance. (His speech grows lower but more impassioned.)

Helen.—What chance?

Dušek.—That I may keep vigil over your hand as it paints and at the same time be one of those who are—(He becomes silent and then bursts out warmly) one of those who are, after all, happier mortals!

Helen (With alluring charm).—And who are they?

Dušek.—Those who are nearest to you, even if they are indifferent.

Helen.—Indifferent to me? Why, haven’t I the right to tolerate about me only those who are not indifferent to me?

Dušek (Becoming more and more impassioned as a result of nearness).—You have—but you are too good, to use your power.

Helen (Laughs oddly, with bitterness).—I, good? (Thought fully.) Ah, because our entire social set hasn’t wholly wearied me as yet?

Dušek.—Social set? Oh, no, not your set,—but—(Softly and timidly)—I.

Helen (Touches hand resting on the divan).—You! You overesteem our social set.

Dušek (Pleadingly, in a tone trembling with joyful unrest).—Miss Helen!

Helen (Waves her open fan merrily).—Oh—Oh—Oh! (Laughs.) Mr. Dušek, have you, too, become a hypocrite? Or do you want me to flatter you?

Dušek.—How? And I a hypocrite? Oh, believe me,—all others can easily be truthful!

Helen (Points towards the rear).—Those in there? (Laughs.) Ah, Dr. Nedoma—yes, yes—he is sometimes almost too truthful! But who beside him? Fořt? He speaks the truth only out of ignorance. Or Novák? He would choke on truth judging by the way he belies himself.

Dušek.—There are others there

Helen.—Oh, yes, Dr. Vlasák, perhaps. But he dares tell the truth only to Clara now. (A pause.) Or could you be jealous—(Laughs) of that old Mr. Daneš?