Page:Three stories by Vítězslav Hálek (1886).pdf/348

 nights for them? and for them toiled at his estate—and this is his reward!”

“And how could they drive him out of the pension house,” enquired a neighbour.

“How could they drive him out? Thus, look you, they could drive him out. They said to him “leave the pension house,” and it was so. When do you peasant proprietors say anything else to your vejminkar (pensioner)” sneered Vena.

And now the mayor began to elucidate matters. Sundry relations came to the young Loykas’, to spend the day, then for two days, but after that they did not wish to leave the farm at all. And in order that the young folk need not have them constantly on their hands, Joseph Loyka’s young wife went herself to the old folk and asked them whether they would object to being removed into the two chambers by the coach-house, and allow her relations to occupy the pension house. On this old Loyka asked if she had anything more at heart? and whether she knew what it was to be banished to those two chambers—and by what sort of people they had previously been occupied. On this Barushka said that she did know, and that since the musicians whom he was so fond of had previously dwelt there well enough, perhaps he also would do there well enough, and that if he felt lonely and out of spirits he might invite the musicians to share the rooms with him. On this old Loyka went to his son and asked him whether he knew