Page:Poet Lore, volume 28, 1917.djvu/524

 then over; if someone has learned to like him a bit, they have the chance to weep,—and then for all eternity, peace.

Tonicka.—Oh, what gloomy views! Better tell us some thing more cheerful!

Skarban (Gazing out of the window, and changing the conversation).—Look, look! There goes Veverka! Flying this way as though his brain were afire!

Kralenec.—He always looks as though he had a screw loose.

Rokos.—One would hardly believe he is a miner.

Skarban.—He seems to be coming here!

Tonicka (Also gazing out of the window).—Probably has heard some new scandal and wants to be the first to tell us the news.

(For an instant flashes by as he passes the window.)

Veverka.—(Excitedly rushing in. All his conduct betrays eccentricity. He paces nervously back and forth, stopping an instant before each individual, yet never sitting down.)

My friends, my brothers! Have you heard the news? You don’t even seem to know?

Tonicka.—What has happened?

Skarban.—What should we know?

Veverka.—We are going to lose everything! They are going to take away the school and give us smaller wages!

Rokos.—Oh how senseless!

( rising.)

Kralenec (To ).—Now talk as though you were sane!

Veverka.—What an effort it cost us to build that school! I, you,  all of us, except you, Skarban.—

(, turning about as though he didn’t hear.)

—We subscribed whatever we could. You and I, Kralenec, we went twice to Prague! The director was friendly. Everything was accomplished! We were satisfied, and now it will all come to nothing,  just as when a stone falls and everything crumbles to pieces!

Tonicka.—Now, after your long-drawn speech, we are exactly as wise as we were before. Do you want to frighten us, or make fools of us all?

Veverka (To ).—And the wages will be cut! And we will have to be thankful when they cut us down just twenty or thirty cents a day!