Page:Poet Lore, volume 36, 1925.pdf/400

 Míchal (Hesitatingly).—I do. And what does it matter, if—?

Dame Klásek.—Stop! Be still! And he himself buys a great deal from the potters—little cups with which he can put (emphatically) souls under cover. No doubt you know that too?

Míchal (Crossly).—Leave me in peace—I—(Starts for the swamp.)

Dame Klásek (Steps in his way).—Wait until I’m through talking. Ours does likewise, you know, our—water sprite.

Míchal.—What “ours”—and what has that to do with me? (Starts toward the right for the swamp.)

Dame Klásek (Holds him back).—Don’t go there, that is a swamp. And that one of ours, perhaps you know him, the water sprite of Lohová who hovers about the mill there.

Míchal (Wishing to pass over the subject, bursts forth).— Fine things go on there!

Dame Klásek.—What! And how do you know about them when you are only on your way from the fair at Kozlovo?

Míchal.—I heard about them; two men from the castle were saying that the magistrate went to the castle for Haníčka, eh—that is, for the orphan girl, in order to carry her off to the castle—ha-ha—!

Dame Klásek (Angrily).—And you laugh at that?

Michal.—At the magistrate, since the nest will be empty. The girl ran off after the miller; he was leading the Princess (points back) to the little castle here; he is not at home, but the girl isn’t either.

Dame Klásek (Surprised, gazes at him keenly). And you—you ribbon dealer, are perhaps spying here.—

Míchal (Seeing he is found out, again starts for the swamp).—Let me go!

Dame Klásek.—Not a step! Nothing—you just stand on dry land—not a step toward the swamp or the water. So Hanička ran away.

Míchal.—And the musicians went—

Dame Klásek (Suddenly).—What! Did you see them?

Míchal.—They went to the village.

Dame Klásek (Taken aback, but immediately collecting her wits).—Aha, you ribbon dealer, you say that so that I may go after them, away from here, don’t you? You heard that at the market? Stand still! I say, not one step off dry land! You are bound for the swamp.