Rejsek (Reads).—"Was the most famous in Europe."
Chadima (Glances into the book).—That is a long preface.
Rejsek.—But most excellent reading. (Reads further.) "If they would but consider that all nations, even savage tribes, love their native language above all else—"
Chadima (Calms down, being interested in the reading).—You see?
Rejsek (Reads).—"I think that the Bohemians also would apply themselves to their mother tongue with greater zeal and would reflect—"
Chadima.—And whoever does this, is "rocky," "rocky!"
Rejsek (Reads).—"I know to be sure that among us, in comparison to the great mass of renegade Bohemians—"
Chadima.—Aha, now it's coming, now, now, now! "Renegade Bohemians!" We have them among us also, and see who they are: Dr. Gülich in the first place, the officials—
Rejsek (Has been looking silently at the book, then glances over his spectacles at Chadima).—In truth most excellent reading; I should like to borrow it. (Turns a page, then sees in the doorway of the next room Mrs. Rettig, who has been observing them both for some moments, smiling.)
Scene V
The same, Mrs. Rettig, later Lenka.
Chadima.—Ah, madam! (Bows.)
Rejsek (Gravely, not embarrassed).—Pardon us.
Mrs. Rettig (Coming in).—You are readers; I like that.
Rejsek.—I am always eager for books, madam. Reading is a part of one's life. I have read splendid things.
Mrs. Rettig.—I have heard that you own a good many books.
Rejsek.—I do: Melantrich,[1] Hájek,[2] "The Labyrinth of the World[3]," "The History of the World," and various stories, one of Mount Blanik;[4] he who wrote that, I must say, did a fine piece of work.
- ↑ Jiri Melantrich (1522–80), Bohemian publisher and author.
- ↑ Václav Hájek, writer of the first half of the sixteenth century, author of an extremely popular "Chronicle of Bohemia."
- ↑ A religious allegory by Comenius (1592–1670); the most famous work in Bohemian literature.
- ↑ Under Mount Blanik sleep the knights of St. Václav, Prince of Bohemia (928–36). They will emerge to save their country in its hour of greatest danger, when enemies are so numerous that they could carry away the whole kingdom on their horses' hoofs.
