Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol3, 1919.djvu/325

 the recorder nodded his head in assent, he would add: “And that church of ours was given us by them for a memorial!” In history he referred to nothing else, so that it appeared as if he knew no other, or did not want to know other historical characters. Žižka and Emperor Joseph, and, above them king Herod, were his favorites, although he never discussed them any more extensively than this.

Thus to-day he had written the salutation and was finishing the first sentence, when Lotty rushed into the room and stopped by her mother. Not waiting for her request, she began to relate in her own manner and language what she had learned at her friend’s. The city was full of reports, imaginings and various comments. It was no secret that the philosophers had made such a demonstration in the college that morning that the professor had not even begun the exhortation, and was compelled to leave the room.

The married women and girls, and a greater part of the citizens, were on the side of the students; only the official class and the older folk shook their heads gravely. They were of the opinion that it was a rude insult, and that it was impossible to approve of such a conduct.

“Oh, that will result in many an examination and punishment!” gravely judged Mrs. Roubínek.

“Mr. Vavřena, most likely, is in it also,” sighed Lotty.

“But why do they begrudge them such an innocent joy!”

“Oh, it is certain that the “majales” will not be held again. And I loked forward to them with so much expectation!” sighed the young maiden, and her pretty eyes sorrowfully turned and looked at the new spring dress, which, completely finished and intended purposely for the “majales”, was spread out on the bed in the corner.

In the meantime, Lenka in the front room was interrupted in her reading. When the door opened, she shut her book, and as before, was pleasantly surprised.

Vavřena, mutely greeting, stepped to her and said in a low voice:

“Are they in there?” and pointed to the rear parlor. “All?”

Then opening his coat, he quickly drew a small book out of his breast pocket and handed it to Lenka.

“Something serious. On the first of May I shall bring you something more pleasant and entertaining.” With that he smiled at her.

Lenka loked at the title.

“Do you want to be a philosopher?” Vavřena asked in a whisper.

The young woman blushed.

“Only with your help.”

He hastily pressed her hand; then knocking, he entered the second room. Lenka was blissfully excited. It is true she heard the soft, joyous exclamation of Lotty, which at other times would have vexed her, but to-day? She still looked at the title of the book:

While Lenka slowly turned leaf after leaf and unwittingly became absorbed in deep reverie, Vavřena was under a cross-fire. Mother and daughter, pell-mell, asked the instructor how that fateful affair occurred in the morning.

The philosopher answered as well as he could and dared, and a smile played on his lips when Lotty, sorrowfully bending her head, with coquettish sympathy expressed her fears whether Mr. Vavřena would not also be strictly disciplined.

“Each for all and all for each.”

“One for all and all for one.”

“And ‘majales’—?”

“Will not be—,” rejoined the mother and the instructor was silent. Thereby he confirmed to Lotty the sad truth. Then something unusual occurred.

The registrar, sitting at the other side of the room and deep in thought, was constructing a new sentence. He had paid no attention to what was going on near him. Suddenly he put the quill-pen down and fixing his cold eyes on king Herod, inquired in his dry, monotonous voice:

“Mr. Vavřena, what is this What unheard of innovations are being introduced into that Bohemian?”

“How can I serve you, Mr. Roubínek?”

“I went to mass this morning, and met a student; he quite politely and properly, it is true, took off his hat, and saluted me. But how did he salute me?! ‘I wish you a good morning!’—What is that?”

“Quite correct, Mr. Roubínek. “I wuensch’, as is commonly used, is German, and ‘good’orning’ is not grammatical.”

The rigid look slid from the picture to the daring philosopher. Instantly, however, Mr. Roubínek fixed his eyes on king Herod again, as he spoke to Vavřena:

“It was spoken thus from ancient times, and it was well. Old and highly situated men used it, and they understood it somewhat, too. We also know what grammar is; Žižka and Emperor Joseph were the best Czechs—,” and he stopped. That spoke. The instructor did not answer.

Mrs. Roubínek tried to begin a new topic of conversation. Vavřena laughed inwardly and added: “And that church of ours is from them