Page:Poet Lore, volume 27, 1916.djvu/58

 Fořt.—I’m in a hurry, too. I want to be at the Imperial by six.

Vlasák.—So you’d like to see my apartments? You can hire them next May. I will move to the other side of the river. (Goes to the door of the bedroom.)—Come! (He opens the door and looks within.) What, are you here, yet?

Servant (In the bedroom).—I’ll just scrape out these ashes and I’ll go right away.

Vlasák.—Well, you didn’t have to do it just this minute!

(Turns around to ). Well, look in and see how you like it. (Entering bedroom.)

( follows .)

Vlasák (Within the bedroom).—Here’s where I sleep. There is a separate entrance from the vestibule. (A pause.)

Fořt (Enters a little later from the vestibule).—What do you pay?

Vlasák (Entering after him).—Two hundred.

Fořt.—Well, that’s cheap enough. To be sure, here on the Jansky summit

Vlasák.—But the quiet is a compensation and you can study well here.

Fořt (Naïvely).—It isn’t a matter of study only; but I’ll be secure here. (Laughs.) Well, doctor, you know what you’re about by having these apartments while you’re a single man.

Vlasák (Somewhat surprised).—Why? (Becomes calm again.) Ah so! You are looking for a quiet place not only for study.

Fořt (Laughing egotistically).—For study of women, doctor.

Vlasák (Laughs).—You, you!

Fořt (Ingenuously).—And you didn’t manage to get the good out of these excellent apartments?

Vlasák (Considering artlessness).—Ah, I say, Fořt! (A pause.) Do you want the apartments?

Fořt.—I should say so! A separate entrance to each room, all under one lock and key

Vlasák.—The landlord lives up over me on the second floor. Day after tomorrow I pay the rent and so I’ll give warning.

Fořt.—I say, won’t you please rent the apartments for me right on the spot? I’ll make a deposit on the rooms after the first.

( steps out of the bedroom and having extinguished the candle which she carries, places it on the table.)

Vlasák (Impatiently).—Hurry up, Mrs. Šebesta! Do you