Page:Poet Lore, volume 28, 1917.djvu/540



Tonicka.——Why doesn’t he come? Time drags along so slowly!

Rokos.—Be patient. There is always time enough for a good thing, and the evil ones come only too soon.

Skarban.—That cross-examination has begun. It will be my turn some time this afternoon.

Rokos.—And they don’t seem to want me at all.

Veverka (Bursting suddenly into the room).—It has begun already! Three have been turned out of work! Because they would not accept lower wages! And five more let out because they would not take their children out of school!

Rokos.—Veverko!

Veverka.—That is God's truth! Among those three were two Germans,—Schulze, Seppel, and Richterhammel

Skarban.—And those five of our men?

Veverka.—Hlaťka, Kralovec, Barta,—and there were two I did not know.

Rokos.—Where are they?

Veverka.—They were asking about you. I think they are coming here.

Tonicka.—And my husband?

Veverka.—He was called before the council just now. Merciful Heavens! (Wiping the perspiration from his face, in apparently deep agitation,) What am I going to do? Five children on my hands, a wife, and a mother!

Rokos (Impressively, but calmly, without emotion).—And you do not know what you will do? Then you have already forgotten all your promises?

Veverka.—For Heaven’s sake, don’t yell at me so! If you had a family to support, who knows how you would decide!

Rokos.—What’s that?

Veverka (Stepping aside, as though afraid).—I don’t know, perhaps you would hold out,  but perhaps you,  I am in deadly distress  Christ in Heaven!