Klásek.—Why, yes, for the assistant. I thought he was here. He said for me to run up to the castle and inquire.

Hanička.—He was here, but he has left.

Klásek.—Well, then, I’ll go after him. (Turns around.)

Grandmpther.—And your wife was seeking you here.

Klásek (Stops in fear).—Me?

Grandmother.—And out of temper, too. I saw her from my room and she was already angrily looking for you outside.

Klásek.—That can’t be true, good heavens, no, that she should be angry—she never gets angry! Why, I have an exceedingly kind wife. Fifteen years, and maybe more than that, we are married, and we have yet to see a quarrel.

Klásek.—Why, when I say: “Mama, water runs up hill,” she agrees: “It does, Papa, it does.” We say “Papa” and “Mama,” you know, all the time; if I should say—

Dame Klásek (Crying out angrily).—What—what—if you should say what? You rascal—(Klásek hurriedly hides the clarinet under his coat.) Well, what would you say? speak, Speak, you wandering tom cat, just say where you’ve been, where you’ve been loafing and hanging around. And what do you want here—here—what—what—?

Klásek.—O, but Kate, dear, I was at the assistant’s, at Zajíček’s house, and then at the castle.

Dame Klásek.—At the widow’s, you mean, don’t you!

Klásek.—At the castle, wife, my jewel, no place else. From school straight there and again straight to school and again from school straight here; not a step to the right or left, not a movement of an eye either to right or left.

Dame Klásek.—And why come here, why here—

Klásek.—For the assistant and also—also about that grinding.