Setjko.—Perhaps you. Surely not that.

Zima.—No indeed, nor the assistant here, nor even Klásek.

Sejtko.—Well, of all things, then who is it?

Zima.—The lap. The lap, comrade, is the best friend. We find people almost tearing the food from each other’s mouths, and if it falls, some one immediately grasps it. Only your lap will catch it, that you may keep it.

Sejtko (Taken aback).—Such brilliancy! And Klásek is missing it.

Hanička (To Zajíček).—Are you expecting him? Only if Klásek’s wife will let him go.

Zajíček.—Even if he has to break through the thatches, he must come.

Hanička.—And that petition, you know—

Zajíček.—I’ll present that now, during the concert.

Sejtko (Looking out toward the left).—Klásek! And he with an equipage!

Zajíček.—An equipage?

Klásek (From the left, bringing a sack of grain on a wheelbarrow). Here I am. And help me quickly to unload this, quickly! And here, learned sir, (pulls a clarinet from underneath his coat.) hold this, please, Sejtko; come, help along. (Goes to the door of the mill. Sejtko helps him carry the sack into the mill.

Zima (Overturns the wheelbarrow and sits on it).—From what I observe, it seems to me that Klásek is running away.

Hanička.—Where is that concert to be?

Zajíček.—Hanička, I will tell you, and you only. When they put us off in such a manner in the palace, the gardener, my godfather, you know, advised me to ask old Zan, and a short while ago he told me that the Princess—but for heaven’s sake, Hanička, I beg you, lest this injure us, don’t breathe a word of this!

Hanička.—What did he tell you?

Zajíček.—That the Princess spoke of the little castle, (points toward the woods) so we shall certainly—