Skarban.—You would make a good inning there. Better pay with easier work.
Ruzenka (Pulling at her mother’s skirts).—Mother!
Pepicek.—Please, mother!
Tonicka (playfully).—Well, why are you teasing?
Ruzenka.—We want to go out.
Tonicka.—Yes, to freeze out there.
Pepicek.—We want to go to Skarban’s.
Skarban.—Why, Neighbor, let them go! Bozenka will take them over.
Bozenka.—I will go with them.
Tonicka.—Then hurry and dress. (The children run off for their wraps.) And take some kolace to Lojzikov and Marenka. (She goes to the pantry and brings out two kolace for Bolenka who ties them in a clean handkerchief, and puts on her wraps. Tonicka dresses the children.)
Kralenec.—Be sure to be good!
Ruzenka.—We are going to dance. There’s a bagpiper playing in the tavern. We can hear him as far as Skarban’s.
Kralenec.—The cat is out of the bag. But don’t bother the old mother. If you do, I shall go over there, and tell her to chase you all home.
Tonicka.—Give our respects to the family. And don’t stay too long!
All three children (Leaving).—God be with you!
Rokos, Skarban.—God be with you! God be with you!
Kralenec (Goes to the door to open it for them).—Bozeno, take good care of them!
Bozenka.—I shall, father! (The children leave.)
(Skarban arose while Rokos is shaking the ashes from his long pipe.)
Rokos.—That Bozenka of yours is growing into a pretty girl.
Tonicka.—And how good and obedient she is! If they could but see her now, how proud my dead sister and brother-in-law would be!
Rokos.—The Lord’s will be done. We should never murmur against Death. It is our best friend.
Skarban.—That is almost true. Most of us take time to rest only when we are sick.
Rokos.—And the longest holiday stretches before man when death comes to summon him. Every man should welcome death as the greatest of all experiences. His toiling and anxiety are
