Miller. Well, Dame Klásek, you’re far harder to subdue than a water sprite. (To Grandmother.) He was here a while ago, stopped the mill wheel, hovered around—

Hanička.—Again?

Grandmother.—Did you see him?

Braha.—I did, and saw him well.

Hanička unobserved carries the lantern to the right into the room and returns immediately.

Klásek.—We are chasing each other.

Zajíček (To Miller).—Sir, company is coming for you.

Miller (With a smile).—Surely, not the bailiff again?

Zajíček.—O, no. The magistrate himself. I met him, greeted him pleasantly, was about to go on, and then he, the magistrate, calls out: “Wait a bit, teacher, where are you going?” I replied, “With your kind permission, I’m on my way to the mill.”

Miller (With a smile).—No doubt he answered: (mimicking the magistrate) “To the mill? What does a teacher want there! He has nothing to grind, so what does he want with a miller?” He is that sort of a scoundrel. Is it not so, Zajíček; that’s the way he spoke, wasn’t it?

Zajíček (Surprised).—Upon my word, how did you know, sir—?

The Magistrate stands in the doorway and looks about. Zajček observes him with fear and steps backward towards the door.

Magistrate.—Was the bailiff here?

Miller.—He was, and he delivered the message.

Magistrate.—And you—?

Miller.—The bailiff no doubt gave that message also.

Magistrate.—If he gave the message correctly, it would amount to a rebellion on your part, miller. What would those above say! Now I repeat, I, the magistrate, and command, that