Fráňa Šrámek

“ She runs out quickly, and can be heard opening the door outside. She returns, her lips distorted by a hysterical smile, her eyes melting with fire; she goes to the window, plucks a few sprigs of myrtle, and sinks down overwhelmed in the chair by the window. Then with unsteadily groping hands she twines a sprig of myrtle in her hair, and throws the other sprigs on the floor. Outside, somebody is coming up. The sound of coughing is heard. Lidka's eyes fasten upon the door with a dark look of feverish thirst, while her lips are parted vacantly. The door opens and Loshan enters. ”

“ The golden vapour of the afternoon sun sweeps through the window like a glorious cloud, which is the fore-runner of a dream of happiness. Behind the white thin curtain at the window LidkA is sitting with her sewing; a quivering patch of sunshine rests on her lap like the fondled head of some pet animal, which blinks its big happy eyes, while it enjoys endearments and nestles into the cosy warmth of the lap. Old Mrs. Ledynska, with the tender smile of autumm in all her features, is sitting in an old leather settee by the table reading the newspaper ”

“ LOSHAN (with a quick glance in the direction of Mrs. Ledynska, who is taking the plates into the kitchen; then to Lidka, effectively muffling his voice) : Yes, I did look. I had to look, just as we have to look when we are walking through a field and a sky-lark begins to sing above our heads. Ah, that's how it was: a sky-lark began to sing. I sought it with my eyes. . . I've never seen you before,—I suppose you never go out anywhere. . . That's how a man discovers America, by chance,—the fragrance of unknown shores shows him the way . ”

“ MRS. LEDYNSKA (hurrying out) : There's always something to be learnt from you. . . (Outside.) Please come this way.
Enter LOSHAN (in his exterior there is an aggressive air of scornful unconcern; his eyes shift about in search of prey.)
JENIK: Come along inside. . . How are you, old chap? My mother. . . my sister. . . my friend, Loshan. . .
LOSHAN (bowing off-hand) : Don't let me put you out. . .
JENIK (pushing a chair towards him) : Take a seat.
LOSHAN (sitting down) : I was walking about down there quite a long while . . .
JENIK: Lidka here made me come and look.
LOSHAN: Ah, indeed. ”

“ A modestly furnished room; the tawdry atmosphere of concealed poverty is betrayed by a few inferior ornaments. A sense of warm and intimate snugness fills this nook ta the ticking of a large grandfather's clock. ”