Vlasák (Again looks at his watch expectantly and rises.)—Pardon me, Mr. Dušek! I am awaiting the servant, I sent her for some coal. . . . (Walks across room.) Confound that woman!
Dušek (Arises).—I’ve come inopportunely, I see.
Vlasák (Lightly presses his arms as if to make him seat himself.)—Please go on talking! And don’t take my restlessness in bad part; I ought to be gone and that old woman
Dušek (With a smile).—The state of single blessedness is beginning to torture you, too, is it?
Vlasák.—I should say so! (Laughs impatiently.) If you have the bachelor’s joys I have, just hurry up and marry.
Dušek (Embarrassed).—That’s easy to say! (Sighs.) Ah, good Heavens! (A pause.) Doctor, I must finish telling you.
Vlasák (Seats himself).—Please go on.
Dušek (Laughs).—We are a funny lot, aren’t we, when we’re in love?
Vlasák (With growing wonder).—Allow me, Mr. Dušek, tell me exactly what I have to do with that matter
Dušek.—You are a family friend in the home of Mrs. Heller. Also of the Lindners’. You are a man of their social circle who understands and can do a lot more than, for instance, I, such—(Considering)—well—such a parvenu!
Vlasák (Astonished).—Do you want to pay court to Miss Lindner?
Dušek (Startled by the words).—You utter the words more quickly, doctor, than I dare to think them.
Vlasák (Inquisitively).—And what about Miss Lindner?
Dušek (Blissfully).—Oh, as far as she’s concerned! But her family, her relatives
Vlasák (Surprised).—Ah, so it’s only the relatives you now fear! (Blurts out.) So that’s it, is it? (Abruptly.) And l am, then, to be a diplomat?
Dušek.—Not at all, doctor, but, in the meantime, just my friend. I would wish very much to regard you thus.
(Vlasák bows silently.)
Dušek.—I’ve been thinking about it very seriously today, in fact, all night long. (Frankly) Why, I never closed my eyes for very joy! And it occurred to me—(A bell sounds in the vestibule.)
Vlasák (Rises quickly. Greatly disquieted).—Excuse me, Mr. Dušek. . . .
