Jaroslav Kvapil, translated by Šárka B. Hrbková

“ Don’t you see for yourself how superficially, trivially we live, day after day, without disturbance and without growth? I would have suffocated in the atmosphere if I had not awakened in time. What I have done—to Staza today was cruel—I know it!—but it is better at once when she herself wished it, than to drag down not only her but myself also.
Hlaváček.—Yourself also! That is your system of ethics!
Dušek.—Just consider, Láda, what have I accomplished in those six years? Where am I today when I am thirty-two years old? ”

“ Nedoma.—Do you know what I said to him? That any medium can not gnaw at a strong man. And may the devil take a weak man! Among us or among you—the same holds true. But a new medium devours a weak man much quicker.
Hlaváček.—And Dušek is in a new medium!
Nedoma.—Exceedingly so! And, my friend, he is in great error, in the meantime. He seeks in our society what doesn’t exist there. The new colors and the new perfumes have deluded him—nothing more. Fundamentally it is the same. Except for the fact that Dušek’s awakening will be all the more terrible when he comes to, in a strange world. ”

“ Dušek.—And what is driving you out of Prague?
Stáza.—Ka-mi-lo! (She bursts out crying.)
Dušek (Impatiently) .—Lord, Lord, such trouble!
Stáza (Seeking Hlaváček with tear-filled eyes, she speaks between sobs) .—Mr. Hlaváček, you know it yourself, don’t you? I haven’t come to upbraid Kamilo. If he’d only say one word or move a finger— (She breaks into fresh weeping) haven’t I many, many times wanted to go away, and hasn’t he as often held me back?
Hlaváček (Forcing himself to be calm) .—You know, Miss Stázička, what I think about it. ”

“ Nedoma (Warming up) .—But what insults me the most is the decline of his taste, his artistic consciousness. And you, Mr. Hlaváček ought to be even more hurt by it. (Violently.) Why, thunder, he has gotten so mixed up in those enchantments that he has become Miss Lindner’s tailor!
Hlaváček (Not comprehending) .—It isn’t possible!
Nedoma (Bursting into a laugh) .—Indeed it is! He designs her costumes and—is making a paintress of her! You know how such a young woman paints—to be sure, she isn’t hindering any one, so let her paint! But Dušek impressively raves about those daubs of hers. ”

“ Do you think than man, Dušek, is any better? Until recently, he went about with a milliner.
(Clara surprised.)
Helen.—Yes, a milliner! For six years he had relations with an ordinary milliner. Vlasák knows it, ask him! He lived with her and adapted himself to that queer sort of society while he had a girl from that sphere. Now he is crazy about me—and makes friends with any fool of our set. (Merrily.) Now that’s charming, isn’t it? Do you think that what happened before insults me? Why? On the contrary—that mannerly big-eyed artist stimulates me! ”

“ Šimr.—Ah—in order not to drag down your scutcheon, so?
Dušek (Violently) .—You know I’m not going to run around with models to Glaubic’s any more, as you do. (A pause.) I don’t grasp in what way that lady has injured you that you talk about her so! You are always complaining that there is no understanding for art in our society—and when some one does appear who understands it, you scoff at him. Šimr (Tosses his head) .—My world suffices for me!
Dušek (Indicating Šimr with his thumb) .—Do you hear, Láda? What did I say?
Hlaváček.—Don’t begin again, I beg of you! ”

“ What do you care, after all, for the Lindner? You’ll paint her, draw a few hundred—and enough! What are you getting excited about?
Dušek—No one mentioned money! You are only angry at society because you haven’t its money. (Angrily.) Oh, to be sure! Are you envious because I paint better portraits? Don’t hang around the ale-houses, don’t disgrace yourselves on the streets—and then people will notice you, too. (To Šimr.) You know very well no man is going to Thomas’s to hunt you up in order to have you paint his daughter. (Turns to Hlaváček.) And you, Hlaváček, are also a regular weather-vane. ”

“ Šimr.—What, again?
Hlaváček.—I haven’t any peace here while I don’t know about him. (Departing.) I’m back in a few minutes. (A pause. All gaze after Hlaváček.)
Šimr (Bursts out abruptly) .—I say this is too much!
Paroubek (In a deep voice) .—Come, let’s talk about ghosts!
Réza (Shivers) .—Oh, do hush!
Bozena.—Let’s rather talk about something else! Mr. Šimr, what really did happen to Dušek?
Šimr.—The Lord only knows! He won’t tell! Apparently that —that—what’s her name—quit him, that time. But there must be something else in it. A man doesn’t go to seed that way for a woman. ”

“ Helen (Points towards the rear) .—Those in there? (Laughs.) Ah, Dr. Nedoma—yes, yes—he is sometimes almost too truthful! But who beside him? Fořt? He speaks the truth only out of ignorance. Or Novák? He would choke on truth judging by the way he belies himself.
Dušek.—There are others there——
Helen.—Oh, yes, Dr. Vlasák, perhaps. But he dares tell the truth only to Clara now. (A pause.) Or could you be jealous— (Laughs) of that old Mr. Daneš?
Dušek (Surprised) .—Jealous?
Helen (Captivatingly) .—To be sure, jealous! Everyone is jealous who imagines he is not the first one—or the only one. ”

“ In the very moment, Miss Lindner— (Turning to Helen) when you were already in the next room! And I went down the stairs from here—happy, rejoiced——
Vlasák (Bursts out) .—Don’t lie, you sneak!
Dušek (Undisturbed) .—And how absolutely I believed in you, Miss Lindner! When on the corner here, I met a man who saw you entering here——
Helen (Haughtily) .—You ought to be ashamed to add lies!
Dušek (Bursting out) .—Do you know who it was? A man in return for whose friendship I have given only kicks!
Helen (Involuntarily) .—Hlaváček!
Dušek (Laughing wildly) .—Yes, Hlaváček! ”

“ Dušek (Peevishly) .—What’s the use of talking?
Hlaváček.—You’re right! (Gazes at his large picture.) Hurry up and finish this canvas, but don’t mix with those curs and geese. They will bark and sting you to death.
Dušek (Surprised) .—Is that so? So that’s how you interpret my “Psyche?”
Hlaváček.—How else should I interpret it?
Dušek (Stops in front of his picture and looks at it intently) .—The idea! I meant it in an altogether different way. Those dogs and geese we have also with us, Láda——
Hlaváček (Laughs) .
Dušek.—And they’re with us more than elsewhere, my friend. ”

“ Pardon me, I must offer my greetings to the lady of the house. (He departs through rear.)
Nedoma.—Do you know him?
(Hlaváček shakes his head.)
Nedoma (Caustically) .—Bohus Vladimir Novák, the poet of Prague reception rooms! (Looks intently at Hlaváček.) Haven’t you read anything of his? (Dryly.) Neither have I. And I hope no one in Bohemia has, either. But—he’s a poet! Yes, indeed, a highly gifted poet as any one in society will attest—even Mrs. Daneš although she reads only Marlitt and Haecklander. ”

“ Or for that matter—not particularly Dušek, any other man—even that stupid Fořt. If I said that, do you know what you must do Victor? You must open the door, escort me forth—and never breathe a word! Just as I have said to you, “Go, marry Clara, if you wish!” We have belonged to each other only for a while and we have paid for each other with our passion, as others pay with money!
(Vlasák buries his head in his hands.)
Helen.—Our particular system of society is a market place with only a few mediums of barter. And many fine ladies are rich enough to pay for their lovers in cash. ”

“ And I believe in you even if you don’t believe in yourself. I am carried away by something stronger than an instant of intoxication and I’m too weak to free myself from its power. (Gently draws Helen’s hand to his bosom.) Do you hear the violin? (Helen bows her head. Dušek’s lips touch her hair.) ”

“ My friend, the painter Hlaváček. (Mutual bows.)
Mrs. Heller (Looking around) .—So this is how it looks in a studio!
Hlaváček (With a smile) .—In a neglected studio, gracious lady.
Helen (Extending her hand to Dušek) .—First of all, let me thank you, Mr. Dušek, most cordially for the Böcklin. It is a splendid work.
Mrs. Heller.—Although somewhat incomprehensible. You’ll pardon me, gentlemen,—but your modern art is a little heavy and mysterious for us ordinary mortals.
Helen (Laughing) .—Auntie is opposed to all modernism! But don’t be angry, the modern poets fare just the same with her. ”

“ Fabian in the meantime fairly overflows with bliss. But no doubt we’ll hear it way in here—and it would be better if we didn’t hear it at all.
Hlaváček.—The doctor evidently isn’t a lover of music.
Nedoma.—Why not? But I don’t coquette with it. (Points in the direction of the main reception room) All these yawn—at least in spirit—at such a musical soiree, but that doesn’t stand in the way of their talking learnedly about music as if it were their daily bread. They go to concerts—and are bored; they go to the opera and are bored. But while music is the fashion they must not remain away. ”

“ Hlaváček (Indifferently) .—Oh, not at all! (Turns around.) Dušek, do you know Dr. Vlasák? They say he’s running after her.
Dušek (With apparent indifference) .—Don’t you believe it. Vlasák is a climber. And he won’t marry anyone but a rich bride.
Hlaváček.—That’s just it!
Dušek.—Don’t think for a minute that Miss Lindner’s dowry would suffice for him. My good fellow, you don’t know that sort of people; if your dowry is under fifty thousand, they won’t speak to you.
Hlaváček.—And the Lindner woman hasn’t that much?
Dušek (Forcing himself to laugh) .—Hlaváček, what’s gotten into your head? ”

“ Helen.—Just see, Mr. Dušek, what a protector you have won! (To Nedoma) .— But, truly, I myself am to blame that Mr. Dušek is so busily occupied. (Indicates Dušek) Sir, my instructor in painting! (Laughing) And my faithful advisor in every thing at all times. He even designed my ball costume for the National Beseda. [3]
Nedoma (Amazed) .—Thunder! (To Dušek) So you are becoming not only a modern but a fashion artist?
Dušek (Slightly piqued) .—What I heard from you, doctor, concerning my last picture, was my greatest incentive. ”

“ Your sketching doesn’t trouble me in the least when I whistle.
Dušek.—But your whistling bothers me!
Hlaváček.—Do you paint with your ears? (He rises, and goes sidling across the atelier towards Dušek, and looks at his sketch.) Fffff–f! (Seriously.) Kamilo, what about this Lindner woman?
Dušek.—What about her? Why, I’m going to paint her, as you see.
Hlaváček.—I’m not asking that! Why doesn’t that woman get married? She doesn’t lack much of being thirty.
Dušek (Provoked) .—You gossiping old woman. You do not even know Miss Lindner. ”

“ Helen (Excited) .—Hurry! Whoever it is knows you’re at home—open!
Vlasák (Decisively) .—Stay here. And if I don’t say in a loud voice. “So you’ve returned, Mrs. Sebesta?” go at once into the bedroom.
Helen.—All right! Quickly!
Vlasák (Takes the lamp and departs, indicating meanwhile to Helen to be absolutely quiet.)
(Helen nods assent and steps close to the book-case near the door of the bedroom.)
Vlasák (Enters the vestibule. The stage is in complete darkness. Vlasák outside is heard opening the door and then cries out in amazement) .—Ah! (In a loud voice.) Is that you, Mr. Dušek? ”

“ Hlaváček.—Say, Dušek, I’ll go around to Brunner’s in the meantime and get that passe partout.
Dušek (Seizes him by the sleeve, disturbedly) .—Wait! (Aloud.) He’ll bring it when he’s ready. (Turns.) Sit down, Stázička!
Stáza.—Thank you, I won’t stay long. (In a broken tone.) I have just come to say good-bye.
Dušek (Shakes his finger at her) .—Stáza! Stáza!
Stáza (Seeking to gain command of herself) .—No, Mr. Dušek, it is settled. Tomorrow I leave for Vienna. My sister is already awaiting me. I have not been in the shop since Tuesday—what should I do in Prague? ”

“ Helen.—You couldn’t, then, paint from the photograph?
Dušek (Takes the board from the easel and shows the drawing to the ladies) .—I have made a slight beginning. In the meantime it’s only on paper as an experiment——
Mrs. Heller (Looking at the drawing) .—But the likeness already appears.
Dušek.—Miss Lindner will now allow me to paint wholly from life.
(Helen nods her head assuringly.)
Mrs. Heller (In the meantime examines the studio) .—Ah, what charming miniatures and unfinished pictures. (Gazes at Dušek’s large picture.) Is that yours, Mr. Hlaváček? ”

“ Fořt (Enters a little later from the vestibule) .—What do you pay?
Vlasák (Entering after him) .—Two hundred.
Fořt.—Well, that’s cheap enough. To be sure, here on the Jansky summit——
Vlasák.—But the quiet is a compensation and you can study well here.
Fořt (Naïvely) .—It isn’t a matter of study only; but I’ll be secure here. (Laughs.) Well, doctor, you know what you’re about by having these apartments while you’re a single man.
Vlasák (Somewhat surprised) .—Why? (Becomes calm again.) Ah so! You are looking for a quiet place not only for study. ”