Page:Poet Lore, volume 36, 1925.pdf/401

 Míchal (Angrily).—And why do you detain me?

Dame Klásek.—I’ll not let you get to the water.

Míchal.—May you—

Dame Klásek.—What? Me? If you were a ribbon dealer, perhaps I might be afraid of you. Perhaps, Is ayI say [sic], perhaps! but; you, ribbon dealer, from whose coat tail water drips—

Míchal (Wildly).—Let me go, or I’ll—

Dame Klásek (Places her arms akimbo).—Come on, then; come on, water sprite! You are a powerful being in water, that I know. In water! But on dry land, nine flies can thrash you; isn’t it so, you water rat? You would stop the mill wheels by day, hover about the mill all night, sigh, cry, and annoy respectable young girls.—Now listen, and tell me the truth!

Míchal.—You are a dragon! Let me go!

Dame Klásek.—Not until you tell the gospel truth! Where did the teacher’s assistant and those musicians go? Into the village?

Míchal.—No, I heard they were to play a concert for the Princess, and they went yonder. (Points to the forest.)

Dame Klásek.—To the little castle. And Hanička ran off after the miller. You are waiting for her here. Has she not passed here yet?

MáchalMíchal [sic].—Leave me alone!

Dame Klásek.—Speak, or I’ll—

Míchal (Defiantly).—No, she has not.

Dame Klásek.—Aha—And that is true about the magistrate? The miller knows nothing about it.

Míchal.—How could he know. He was guiding the Princess to the little castle.

Dame Klásek.—And you will lead me there!

Míchal (Becomes frightened).—I! (Angrily.) No!

Dame Klásek.—And immediately! Light the lantern! (Looks sharply into his eyes, raises her right hand and speaks in the tones of a sorcerer.)

is restless and squirms during the conjuring.

Dame Klásek.—Not yet? Do you want me to use a rope on you? (Feels about in her pocket, as if a rope were there.) I will bind you and tie you to a hot stove; I will call the miller and Braha.