Page:Poet Lore, volume 28, 1917.djvu/529

 ing truant. Now for a whole month, during cold weather, I am dragging myself from town to village, my wife scolds, the children are pictures of misery,—and the funny side of it is getting stale. What, old friend, haven’t you even a piece of bread for me?

Kralenec.—In the fall, they were needing men at the mines. Just now, there is nothing. A week ago, they discharged ten men.

Brouzda.—Little work, yet the winter drags itself along. And what about this neighborhood, there are foundries here everywhere.

Kralenec.—If you cannot find work in your own village, it is useless to look further up in the hills. There is none to be had. Everyone is holding the work he has. There is no bread to be found for the asking. (Looking out of the window.)

Brouzda.—Well, so you see, Madam,—or rather, Mrs. Tonicka,—how am I to get a crust of bread somewhere? You think ill of me because I tramp about, but what else is left for me to do?

Tonicka.—Take these for your wife and the children. (Handing him two small loaves.)

Brouzda.—And may the Lord reward you ten thousand times. But in order to show some slight gratitude for your kindness, I bring you some news.

Tonicka.—News? And from where?

Brouzda.—From your respected mother-in-law.

Kralenec.—Were you at my brother’s?

Brouzda.—Yes. They were very glad to see me.

Tonicka (Turns away, softly laughing at herself).—And what are they all doing? What is mother working at?

Brouzda.—Thanks for inquiring. They are all well, and the old mother is coming to your house some day.

Tonicka.—Would that she might come! Then we would have a nice visit.

Brouzda.—Well then, in return for the news, might you not find, if you looked in that chest, a drop of your famous bitters?

Tonicka.—You can take this away. (Giving him a bottle.) We don’t use it all year.

Kralenec (Impatiently).—I must step out now and see what is going on. Our honorable manager at the chancery, to-day,  Sunday  that is something unusual.

Tonicka.—What can it mean? But, (glancing uneasily toward ,) come back right away.

( says good day to the obsequious, picks up his cap, and leaves.)