Page:Poet Lore, volume 28, 1917.djvu/544



Kralenec.—You see, you see, we still are here, and already such a beast is preying upon our lair. Tonicko, such filth! Such vermin! And for that I am to step out, and go begging in its place, from house to house,  from village to village, ! Tonicka.—Compose yourself! Calm yourself, Vojtech! Surely it is not yet so bad! And if it comes to the worst, there must be more than one mine, and one foundry in the whole world! How many of them there are all around us! If it is necessary, I will pick up this very afternoon, and go out to find some work for you.

Kralenec.—Where do you want to go?

Tonicka.—You cannot leave this afternoon, you must go down to the mine, so let me go instead. I will go from mine to mine until I find work. And if I fail to find it in the mines, I shall go to the castle, the young mistress there is very kind, and many people have already found work on the state after being dismissed here. If it comes to the worst, you can work in the forest, and I in the dairy. A living can certainly be thrashed out of our united efforts!

Kralenec.—And you would not be afraid of anything now, with the winter upon us? You would not complain, if they should for a certainty turn us out?

Tonicka.—I would rather starve on a dry crust once a day for my sustenance, than to submit to such injustice. (Enter .)

Pivousek.—Greetings! Mr. Merfajt sends his respects, and says he is still waiting!

Kralenec (Looking at ).—Why the hour is not up yet!

Pivousek.—He would like to know now what you have decided to do. (Looking around.) Honestly, comrade, he realizes how much depends upon your decision.

Kralenec.—On me?