Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol4, 1920.pdf/49

 “Invitation to the consecration of the flag of the Student Legion of Litomyšl, which will be held on May 21st, 1848, in the followin order:”

And when she read the program, her glance fell on the last lines.

“The celebration will be enhanced by the co-operation of the Sharpshooter’s Company, and the officers of the National Defense. The Committee of the Student Legion of LitomyšI.”

She rejoiced, and was proud of Vavřena, the officer and the member of the Committee.

In the meantime, Mr. Roubínek committed an act which nobody who knew that cold and icy official, would have expected of him. Tired, he returned from training, and found that invitation on the table. Hardly had he read a few lines when he crushed the paper into a ball, and threw it into a corner. But what availed all this anger? It was impossible to swim against the current. Mr. Roubínek could not stop the celebration by his bad temper.

The twenty-first of May was a cool day, but in spite of that a great crowd congregated at the college, where in the main hall the dignitaries, the sponsor of the flag, young count Kinský, students, and other guests were assembled. Then the festively attired maid of the flag, the niece of Pater German, mounted the platform, and in the name of the women of Litomyšl handed the emblem to the Student Legion.

This speech was answered by captain Jehlička, who thanked the women in the name of the Legion. The immense crowd then moved over to the public square, where the Sharpshooters, the City Guard, and the students were lined up in their respective positions.

Through the bright air sounded a loud, long shout, when the newly consecrated flag, on which the words “Concord” and “Equality” were printed in gold, flew over the heads of the student legionaries, and its beautiful ribbons fluttered briskly in the wind.

Miss Elis and Lenka stood at an open window. Both looked with joyful eyes on this celebration; the deep, solemn stillness, in which only the Priest’s voice resounded, and then the shouts of exultation, moved them deeply.

The band started playing, and all organizations and all the people marched back to the Piarists’ church, where the celebration was to be closed with a mass and with the chanting of the “Te Deum.”

Miss Elis looked with joy on the long columns of philosophers, who proudly marched behind the new flag, and Lenka’s face blushed when a tall officer looked up to her and greeted her with a smile. How soldierly he carried himself and how becoming his uniform was.

The stir of public life did not abate but rather increased each day. From Prague, the heart of Bohemia, activity radiated to all parts of the kingdom. Sudden, unexpected changes took place almost overnight, events continually new, domestic and foreign, kept all classes of people in tension and excitement. Elections to the Bohemian Diet and to the Frankfurt Parliament were called, and were quickly followed by the famous manifesto of Palacký. The Czechs and the Germans, in accord up to this time, now separated, and then many an uproar and tumult occurred in Prague. The authorities lost control over affairs, and unscrupulous men abused the short period of golden liberty.

The stormy waves shook even so remote and placid a place as Litomyšl. Roubínek was in despair. He complained no longer; he attended the training exercises, went to his office, sat at home, looking at his favorite picture, and only when the recorder came, did he feel easier, for then he could frankly unburden his soul. Mrs. Roubínek, with her friend, Mrs. Roller, was compelled to keep still; they did not agree with anything, and were in revolt against the whole world; but it was dangerous to express such sentiments in revolutionary times. Mrs. Roller secretly rebelled; she felt like a queen deprived of her throne.

Lottynka hesitated. Because of her opposition to Vavřena and Lenka she was against everything; but when nearly all the girls went over to the other side she became uneasy in her isolation.

To Lenka these stirring times were kind. She could see Vavřena much oftener than formerly, and her aunt could not successfully prevent these meetings.

Miss Elis’ students brought home some startling news every now and then. But Frýbort had completely frightened his boarding lady with the information that the philosophic course would end that year at the end of May. Márinka was still more alarmed by this news, but the jolly Hanák knew how to cheer her up; he promised to stay in town. He was doing this partly for her sake, and partly because of the times. But, contrary to expectation, he, together with Vavřena, who also did not plan to leave Litomyšl till the regular vacation time, was to take his leave much sooner.

A number of the Iegionaries left after the eighth of June, on which day captain Jehlička delivered a public speech of farewell to the professors, citizens, and the patriotic women of Litomyšl.

“To you, ye illustrious fathers of ours, whom the murderous hand of the foreigners, the enemies of our land, brought down to your graves, I vow in the name of my comrades, that we are your loyal sons; that the newly won rights of the Bohemian nation we will stoutly defend, and prove by our deeds that we honor our language and customs, and if necessary, even by the force of arms defend our nationality.”

Many a maiden wept when the stalwart philosophers dispersed. Lenka and Márinka were satisfied. There were almost two full months before they need say good bye!