Page:Poet Lore, volume 28, 1917.djvu/522

 are here. What did Merfajt do? Didn’t he threaten that you would lose your place? And yet you held your stand.

Rokos.—And you also. You women here were almost more determined about it than the men.

Skarban.—But it is well that the bitter feeling is dying down a bit. If all could just remain, as things are now!

Kralenec.—God grant it!

Tonicka (Giving the last plate to to dry).—Godfather, what do you think about our friend, Director Baum? Surely it is nothing but idle talk, that they are going to take him away from here?

Skarban.—Be at rest, friend. That surely will not happen. I know they are agitating feeling against him, especially that assistant superintendent, Merfajt. He keeps complaining that little coal is brought up from below. Also that the Director built these miners’ cottages for us; and that he was not opposed to our school.

Tonicka (Stepping up to the table, the children pulling at her skirts).—If someone would only charm that black hell below so it would vomit up more coal! Then the men would bring up more. And what about these cottages? It is true that they have helped the laboring people, but all the profit from them goes to the capitalists. They have capable and orderly miners here, at least.

Skarban.—But they claim that the cottages have cost too much; that is what the company regrets.

Rokos.—The Lord willing, all will yet quiet down, I hope. Things are never just as man might wish them to be. If nothing worse is ahead of us than just what we have now, we may all be fairly well satisfied.

Kralenec.—Would to God that we might never again see such a storm as we had with that rising cyclone.

( sighs, looking thoughtful, then wipes her eyes with the corner of her apron.)

Skarban.—Why, they even had to quit work down below.

Kralenec.—At first we used to grumble, and then we gladly took half-pay with thanks. And now we all have steady work, and the managers are not unfriendly.

Skarban.—And we hear that the Director wants to make you a surveyor! (Turning to .)

Kralenec.—Yes, he has promised it.

Rokos.—A better thing, one will not find.