Page:Poet Lore, volume 35, 1924.pdf/387

 Dub.—Let it be two bottles of beer. I am always thirsty after drinking Bordeaux. ( goes away.)

Prochazka.—I was going to say it seems to me that we are hurrying this appraisement along. We are here only five days, and almost everything has been appraised. In a week, we will be through.

Dub.—You are right we must drag it out a little longer.

Prochazka.—Yes, it ought to take at least three weeks. Why this is a castle such luck as this doesn’t fall to one more than once or twice in a lifetime.

Dub.—But that notary there, (pointing to his place), better give him a hint, so he would not waste breath talking unnecessarily.

Prochazka.—Don’t worry—I have thought of him. ( enters, bringing food in a basket., who came in at the same time, begins to clear the table, bringing out glasses and plates.)

Dub.—Only one bottle of Bordeaux—that is not enough. (To the .) You must bring another.

Servant.—It is about time that I also was enjoying life and getting some profit from my service. I won’t be turning around here much longer. (Leaves.)

Prochazka.—No need of knives and forks. I have my own pocket knife. It will do very well. (Cuts a piece of bread and meat, taking them in his fingers, then lies on the sofa, with his feet in the air as he eats. The others sit at the table, eating, drinking, and occasionally filling a glass for .)

Dub.—I cannot understand how these people went down so rapidly. Plenty of everything—and in a few years through with it all.

Prochazka.—Yes, it makes me laugh. A fine example we have here of extravagance and mismanagement. A sharp person