Page:Poet Lore, volume 28, 1917.djvu/565



''Same room. On the bed to the left lies, half covered by the feather-bed. His hands are folded above the covers and he sleeps. Behind the bed, stands the chaplain and the mother of, at the foot,''.

''Chaplain Krejsa, Kralencova, Tonicka. All speaking in smothered tones.''

Chaplain.—How is it going with Kralenec?

Tonicka (In tears).—He sleeps most of the time. Just as he is doing now. At times, he awakes, asks about something,—perhaps takes a little broth,—then falls asleep again.

Kralencova.—He either sleeps soundly, or else he is unconscious. Sometimes, he tries to talk, as thoughts flit across his mind, and that is what we fear the most. For when one goes into delirium and phantasies, death seems to be hovering near the door.

Tonicka.—Mother,—mother! Do not frighten me! What would become of me and these unhappy children?

Kralencova.—You will have a good cry and feel relieved. But I am choking, I have but few tears left to shed,  I am old and withered now

Tonicka (Weeping).—My God, God, God

Chaplain.—Do not carry on so, Mrs. Kralenec! People have even deeper wounds and recover! (Goes to her, leading her from the bed.) And be a bit more subdued in your grief; control yourself lest you disturb your husband! The Lord is all-powerful! Even now, all need not be lost!

Kralencova (Adjusts the pillows for her son, gazes intently at him for a minute, then slowly goes away to work at something).—It will be difficult for him to crawl out of this. Today in the midst of his ravings  the blood began to trickle from his lips.

Chaplain.—And even though the Lord permitted the worst to happen, we would think about the children.

( gradually recovering his senses, though the others have failed to notice it.)

Tonicka.—If it only had not turned out so fatally, and if I only had not been the cause! But I urged him to take a