Page:Poet Lore, volume 31, 1920.djvu/523

Rh Chadima (Unable to restrain himself, bursts forth).—And Rejsek here, too, madam, will have a sign that is a Bohemian sign.

Mrs. Rettig—That was a dirty trick that they played on your sign.

Chadima.—And besides that they have set me down as rocky; they say that that Dr. Gülich is telling people that I am rocky, a wild shoemaker. But he is mistaken: I won't submit to him; the sign will go up again. It is already being painted, and on it will be handsomely written in Bohemian, "shoemaker."

Rejsek.—And I am going to have a Bohemian sign too, madam. It certainly made me mad when they played that dirty trick on Chadima here. I say, for instance: Is it possible that we shouldn't have the right to put up a sign in our mother tongue, on one's own house and in our own land?

Chadima.—And so Rejsek and I have come to let you know, madam. We are the first, but I think not the last. I will take care, I will take care that that Dr. Gülich finds out that there is no help for it, and that these rocky fellows are ugly customers, that he cannot make them over.

Rejsek (With a smile).—And the field people too, madam.

Mrs. Rettig.—Will this not do you injury?

Chadima.—Me? Me? Let it injure me!

Rejsek.—We fellows are of a humble sort, but we will not sell ourselves for a penny.

Mrs. Rettig (Gives him her hand).—That was worth saying, sir; that encourages one. And things won't be bad if we have many such ardent and brave men as yourself and this craftsman here. (Gives her hand to .)

Chadima.—That make me happy, madam; thank you. (He retires towards the door, bowing.) I thank you.

Rejsek.—I thank you kindly.

Lenka (Coming in).—Good morning. (Kisses 's hand.)

Mrs. Rettig—Ah, Lenka dear, I am glad to see you.

Chadima.—Well, we mustn't loiter.

follows him, but suddenly stops at the door, as if he had recollected something.

Chadima (Guesses what it is and turns to {{sc|Mrs. Rettig).—Madam, that reading has bewitched our Rejsek.

Mrs. Rettig—Ah! (She takes the book quickly from the chest of drawers, where had laid it down.) Here it is, here it is; only be sure to come again, at any time: I am glad to lend books. {{dent/e}}