Page:Poet Lore, volume 36, 1925.pdf/357

 becomes frightened and slips through the door into the hallway., who has been observing, looks around for his wife and slips out quietly after , listening to the dispute, does not immediately notice this.

Magistrate.—But not your obligation. Why, the nobility itself would have to break the lantern, and, ha ha, you’ll wait long enough for that. (Harshly.) Out with the lantern, over the door!

Miller.—When the nobility is here. Not sooner!

Magistrate.—That will be soon. And soon you will hear more, too. (He leaves.)

Dame Klásek.—He surely is a crow, sir. That sort of person is needed for my—(looks about for her husband) Ah!—Why, where—? Well, just you wait! (Leaves rapidly.)

Braha.—Those palace scamps, brought in from the fog, thrown out in the ditch of nothingness!

Grandmother.—What now?

Miller.—Defend ourselves.

Grandmother.—And on top of it all, the water sprite.

Braha.—Today I’m going to keep night watch, and if that green pest dares to—(Goes into the mill.)

Miller (With a smile).—Are you not afraid, Hanička?

Hanička (Confidently).—No, I’mnotI’m not [sic].

Grandmother (Continually rapt in thought).—The little spirit of the water mill will give me no peace. A peculiar fear is seizing me, as once in the forest in a lonely spot. (Reflects for a while until she comes to a decision.) I will take Braha the motherwort, in any case.

Miller.—I hardly think it necessary. (Points to a cupboard above the table.) I have a bast rope here.

Grandmother.—That will be good here, but for the mill we’ll have motherwort. (Goes into the mill.)