Page:Poet Lore, volume 31, 1920.djvu/508

488 Ančka.—I know nothing about that!

Valenta (In joyous emotion).—Yesterday, when we had nearly reached the town, the count said to me out of a clear sky: "Well dear Vencl, now we have had our trip and are at last returning together." I was taken aback, but he went on merrily: "Well, you shall have no cause for sorrow. Or perhaps you would prefer to stay with me and not have a huntsman's house of your own at Lubná." I was fairly frightened for joy and blurted out: "Your Grace the Count, I should be glad to stay with you, but I should like to get married." The count laughed.

Ančka.—Good heavens!

Valenta (In his happy mood he does not notice her fright).— And now things will be different, Ančka; it will not be as it was when the tax-collector's family lived near you, and when you carried notes for us.

Ančka (Quickly).—But why didn't you write? Not a line from your travels. Miss Lenka was so worried.

Valenta.—I wrote, I did write, but I didn't hear a word for over half a year. It grieved me, but I comforted myself by thinking that there was nothing in it, that letters easily get lost in foreign lands.

Ančka.—And Miss Lenka too had a great deal to worry about. There was much trouble at her house. Her father fell dangerously ill, and she had everything on her hands: her sick father, her little sisters, her brother. She endured so much, poor thing, that I wonder she didn't fall ill herself.

Valenta.—But all is well now; the tax-collector has recovered.

Ančka.—My master brought him back to health. Indeed he took great pains with him, and—

Valenta.—And now things wil be better. Ančka dear, (joyfully) you won't be hiding letters for Lenka any more. She will be mine! Good Lord, little did I think that it would be so soon! Last night I scarcely closed my eyes, out of sheer joy. I could not wait for morning to come, and thought that I should run right over here.— But in the morning there was more work to do—though for the last time. And now I am on the run.—Is Lenka here? And what is she doing? Is she well? It is over a year since I saw her!

Ančka.—She is here; I caught sight of her.

Valenta.—Where, where; in front of us, down there? (Is hurrying of.)

Ančka.—Wait, Mr. Retainer!—