Page:Poet Lore, volume 31, 1920.djvu/504

484 woman is also helpful to their elders, even to the real old men, you may say. You heard that about Dr. Plavec? Mrs. Roubínek.—Dr. Plavec? That patriot? What is it?

Mrs. Roller.—What is it? Ein Skandal, wirklich ein Skandal! (Starts to leave, towards the right. accompanies her.  dallies and is left behind.'')

Mrs. Roubinek.—(As she is passing out, she glances around at her husband and calls to him with dissembled affection; but in the tone of her voice one can detect aversion and command).—Aber, Roubínek! (Goes out on the right.)

Roubínek (With a start).—I'm coming, Betty. (Hastens his steps somewhat, still keeping his stiff dignity.) But I won't run, though.

, a dignified man of fifty, smooth-shaven, wearing a white neckerchief, enters from the right.

Rejsek.—Good morning to you, registrar.

Roubínek (With chilly dignity).—Thank you. (Goes out on the right. scowls after him.  and  come in from the left.

Gülich.—Ah, craftsman. And where were you going?

Rejsek (Points backward with his finger, to the right).—I have just been at the prefect's, to bring his lady a pair of shoes. That is a long trip.

Gülich.—Well, and how goes it with Chadima?

Rejsek.—With Chadima? What do you mean, pray?

Gülich.—Go ask him; but take care, for you know that he is rocky.

Roubal.—Rocky? Was ist das?

Gülich (To ).—Don't you know? There are two varieties of shoemakers, the field variety and the rocky variety. The rocky ones are wilder, and when they get angry they bristle up their backs. And Chadima is—

Rejsek (Reddening).—Chadima, doctor, is an excellent workman, a good man, and not stupid.

Gülich.—O, a reader of books, like yourself; we know, we know.