Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol3, 1919.djvu/256

 “Pardon me, please, for a while ago I wronged you in my thoughts. I saw you were hiding something, and it occurred to me, to tell the truth, that it was a letter — —”.

“From whom?” and Lenka smiled until all her fine white teeth appeared.

“It would be no wonder!” he added pleasantly. “But I did not expect a Bohemian book. That surprises me. I think if I went from one maiden to another, that nowhere would I find a Bohemian book. I did not know that you were a patriot. Are you not?” He extended his right hand to her.

“I am!”, she said firmly. Vavřena pressed her warm little hand, which trembled slightly.

“May I know who lent you this Almanac?”

“I have more of them. Have you read this one?”

“You shame me. I have not.”

“Then take it, if you wish. I have read it for the third time. In my trunk I have others, and, if you wish, I shall lend you all of them. But you must lend me others in return.” She sat down.

“What I have, I shall gladly bring; there is not much of it, though.”

“But, please, let neither aunt nor Lotty see it. Now you will understand why I was hiding this book so quickly when I heard the door open. Aunt does not like to see me reading, and she laughs especially at the Bohemian books. I am not ashamed of my convictions, but because I can not defend myself as I would like to against my aunt, I prefer to be silent, and to avoid all conflict.”

“Bear it, Lenka, it is for a good cause! Oh, how glad I am that I learned to know you to-day! Believe me that I can hardly bear it, and that I even grow angry when I see how our young women care for nothing but their ribbons and their laces, when I hear how they speak of these trinkets in a foreign tongue, and pronounce jealous, trivial criticism of each other, and parade empty phrases learned from foreign books. Love for the native land, reading of Bohemian books, and the Bohemian language are not in style, are not fashionable, and for that reason they neglect them, and even laugh at them! They have, they say, a gentle, tender, womanly heart, but for the deep, mortal wounds, for the misery of long centuries, and tragedy of their nation their heart is insensible and hard!”

Lenka sat perfectly still, hardly breathing. Her shining eyes were upon the philosopher’s face and lips, and every word of his, so ardently uttered, sank into her burning, stirred heart. She sighed deeply, her blushing face smiled happily, and in her eyes there appeared tears.

“Thank you,” she said after a pause in a moved, low voice. “It was refreshing and cheering to me. Oh, it is a long time since I have heard such words! My deceased uncle used to speak thus.”

“Was he your teacher?”

“Those books are my inheritance from him.”

“Would you tell me of this worthy man?”

“I will, but—.”

Voices were heard in the corridor. Lenka gave a start, and running her hand over her blushing face, she immediately grasped her work.

“The aunt ”

The door opened and Mrs. Roubinek, Miss Lotty, and little Fritz entered.

“Ach, schau Lotty, Mr. Vavřena is still waiting. I fear we troubled you too much, aber es ist so schön draussen—.” (but it is so pleasant outside). She spoke quickly and with animation, so that the philosopher, who was bowing respectfully, had no time to answer.

The ladies remained in the parlor, while he went with the boy into the next room, where books and papers were in readiness on the table.

Mrs. Roubinek was a robust woman, tall of stature and ruddy of face. Black, carefully combed hair was shining as that of Lottynka. who was the perfect image of her mother. The registrar’s daughter was accounted the prettiest girl in town, and justly so. With slender figure, beautiful face, and black eyes, she surpassed others, and even the girls themselves could no! deny that she had excellent taste and dressed well. Her mother did not spare expense that her daughter might lead others with the newest style.

Mr. Roubinek, willy-millynilly [sic], assented to everything, although otherwise he turned every penny twice before spending it.

While mother and daughter were taking oft their hats and wraps, Lenka regained her poise and all trace of agitation and emotion disappeared from her face. She sewed diligently and answered her aunt’s questions in the usual manner. Within her mind, however, all was not peaceful and quiet. Her young heart for a long time had inclined toward this young man who shone among the philosophers. She liked to see him when he came to teach Fritz; she was glad when now and then he spoke a few words with her. She was attracted by his pure, pithy Bohemian, the like of which she had heard from none but her dead uncle. She heard only praises of him from the aunt and Lotty, and she heard them gladly; she did not dare, however, to make a remark herself concerning him.

Now she was surprised, indeed. She never expected him to be of such convictions. She did not think he would understand her, and rejoice with her. Hitherto, she was compelled to hide her most ardent thoughts; they laughed at her for them. But he had pressed her hand and said: “Oh, how glad I am that I learned to know you to-day!”

At other times she looked with pleasure on this handsome student, whom even Lotty and others liked; and to-day that young man, who generally was indifferent to young women, had stood before her inspired, ardent, and his expressive face seemed to be illumined. If Lotty,