Sejtko (Pointedly).—At night, ghosts are everywhere; spirits and phantoms of the night are found everywhere.

Klásek.—Why do you frighten people?

Sejtko.—That isn’t true! Isn’t it true that forest maidens and the Roarer rule at night and—?

Klásek.—Do be still!

Zima (With dignity).—The night is the queen of spirits; that is certain.

Zajíček (Meanwhile enters the meadow, gazes at the sky and around at the forest).—Well, people say lots of things. But this is true. At night a person has mighty queer feelings, sort of a holy horror; but at any rate, one must admit that it is a beautiful place. Beautiful!

Zima.—This sort of fear overcomes a person, usually in what they call gloomy places. (To Klásek.) One walks and walks and suddenly it seems as if somebody sprang forth out of the shadows, looked into your eyes and immediately disappeared. You see only those eyes—that terrible look.

Klásek.—What are you trying to tell me—

Sejtko (Teasingly).—And I tell you that in such places strange plants grow, and when a person steps over them, he can never find his way out again.

Klásek (Troubled).—Do be still!

Zajíček.—We had better go.

Sejtko.—There is plenty of time. The Princess is not there yet. (Seating himself under the linden tree.)

Klásek.—But what if anyone should come upon us?

Sejtko.—Your wife won’t; she is sleeping by now and is surely dreaming of you.

Klásek.—That is true, to be sure. Every morning she says: “Gracious, Papa, what a dream I had!” And I say, “What about, Mama?” and she says, “About you, Papa. I dreamt that—” (Seats himself.)

Zima also seats himself.

Zajíček (Walking up and down meanwhile, thinking; suddenly)—Good Lord! (Begins to search his pockets.)

Zima.—What’s the trouble?

Zajíček.—Heavens, but I got a fright. (Pulls the petition out of his breast pocket.) Here it is—the petition. I thought I had lost it. (Unfolds it; tries to read it by the moonlight.) Well, I think it would be fine if we played very nicely for the Princess and then she read this petition. It runs like this: (Reads.)