Page:Three stories by Vítězslav Hálek (1886).pdf/415

 Bartos measured Frank from head to heel and said, “Good, Staza go away.”

When Staza was gone, Bartos said, “You know, I suppose Frank, that Staza is a child not born in wedlock.”

“But all the same, a child,” responded Frank.

“That she does not know, neither do I know, nor perhaps does anybody know who was her father.”

“Is there any need to know it,” enquired Frank.

“That people will talk about this and will say, ‘Look! there goes Frank Loyka arm in arm with his wife,’ and they will laugh at her origin.”

“Why should a man trouble himself about an origin?”

“Every one thinks his or her origin the important thing and acts accordingly.”

“And do they mend matters thereby.”

“They do not. But it goes against them when it comes about as in her case.

“And was she created against the will of the Creator?”

“That I do not know; but if you wish to have her for your wife you ought to be told about it.”

“I see no difference between her and others, and what I see is that she is dearer to me than all the world, let her origin be what it may.”

“Good! call her!”

And Bartos himself called Staza. “You have led one another by the hand,” he said, “lead one