Page:Poet Lore, volume 28, 1917.djvu/528

 ( nods, passing out.)

Rokos.—If evil is brewing out there, it can’t stay under cover long. (Shaking the ashes out of his pipe.) I am going too.

Tonicka.—You are all running away. You might stay a bit longer.

Rokos.—I have sat here long enough. I will be back another day. (Gives his hand to both, and slowly walks off.)

walks in, dressed in ragged clothes, his feet swathed in rags, a knotted stick and a battered hat in his hand.

How are you, brother? (To .) You didn’t suppose that your old comrade would be here today?

Kralenec.—Welcome, welcome! Here, sit down, (pointing to the bench by the stove.) You must be half frozen!

Tonicka.—And you want to wander around even on Sunday. Six days of the week should give you time enough for your tramping.

Brouzda (With the adventurer’s comedy).—Yes, if one didn’t want to eat on Sunday, lady!

Tonicka.—You don’t need to “madam” or “lady” me! I am Mrs. Kralenec.

Brouzda.—Well, a person must adapt himself to the language of the city if he don’t want people to say he was raised in the woods.

Tonicka.—That might be said truthfully of both you and your polite language. And where have you left your wife and the children?

Brouzda.—I have sent them to the village. People are more likely to give them something. But me, they would drive out.

Tonicka.—And they would be perfectly right in doing so. It might then drive you to work.

Brouzda.—To work? Good Lord! And do you suppose I can’t work?

Tonicka.—Yes, you do work,—about two weeks out of the year.

Brouzda.—Oh, make it a little more than that, I beg you! Fourteen days hardly gives me full credit! Just now, for example,—believe me or not,—but the truth is, I am tired of play-