Page:Poet Lore, volume 27, 1916.djvu/85

 Malina.—Well, I’m glad of that myself.

Šimr.—A sign, indeed! That Vaniček will now have holy peace.

Paroubek.—Réza, you’re superstitious!

Hlaváček (In the meantime has seized his hat. Uncertainly—. Boys, I’m going down for Dušek after all

Šimr.—What, again?

Hlaváček.—I haven’t any peace here while I don’t know about him. (Departing.) I’m back in a few minutes. (A pause. All gaze after .)

Šimr (Bursts out abruptly).—I say this is too much!

Paroubek (In a deep voice).—Come, let’s talk about ghosts!

Réza (Shivers).—Oh, do hush!

Bozena.—Let’s rather talk about something else! Mr. Šimr, what really did happen to Dušek?

Šimr.—The Lord only knows! He won’t tell! Apparently that —that—what’s her name—quit him, that time. But there must be something else in it. A man doesn’t go to seed that way for a woman.

Réza (Merrily pushes him aside).—Well, I’ll not get foolish about anyone!

( thrums again on the guitar and whistles.)

Bozena.—Pst!

(All become quiet.)

( whistles to the picking of his guitar a popular melody. Malina stands up and marks time.) Tramtá, tramdá, tram táda, táda, táda

Šimr (Pokes him).—Keep still!

( whistles and plays on until he has finished the entire song.)

Malina (Succeeding him).—And now, Vána! (Giving him the key.)

When I was going through Putím gate

Two lovely maids there lay in wait

They cried “You little student,

You surely are quite verdant!”

( accompanies him on the guitar. The rest sing the second stanza with .)