Page:The life of the insects by Čapek brothers.pdf/28

 Clytie. I love you, I love you!

Tramp. Go—get a move on. I ’ate the sight of yer.

Clytie. Oh, you wretch! (She returns to the mirror.)

Iris. (Running, out of breath) Something to drink—quick!

Clytie. Where have you been?

Iris. On the hill-tops—it was so hot.

Clytie. Where did you leave Victor?

Iris. Victor? Who ’s Victor?

Clytie. Why, you went off with him.

Iris. Oh yes, of course—but that was only fun. I remember now. Something awfully funny happened. It’ll make you scream. He kept running after me—ha, ha, ha.

Clytie. Why did you leave him?

Iris. I’m telling you. He kept running after me, and suddenly—ha, ha, ha. A bird flew along and ate him up!

Clytie. You don’t say!

Iris. As true as I’m standing here. I thought I should have died. (She bursts into laughter and buries her head in the cushions.)

Clytie. What is the matter with you?

Iris. Oh, those men!

Clytie. Do you mean Victor?

Iris. No—Otto. Victor was eaten by a bird. Just fancy—immediately after, up came your Otto. Oh, the look in his eyes—all on fire—and then—ha, ha, ha!

Clytie. What then?

Iris. He came after me. ‘Love me, Iris,’ he said, ‘love me, love me.’

Clytie. Well, did you?