JUNE
161
LIDKA: isn't it true, then?
JENIK (a trifle uneasily) : Oh, but. . .
LIDKA: Do tell me, do tell me, Jenik. . .
JENIK (somewhat forcedly): What in the name of goodness am I to tell you?
LIDKA (stroking his hand): I won't tell anybody . . . Jenik . . . I won't. You know, I think I should look upon you in quite a different way . . . that it would be such a nice thing.
JENIK (deep in thought): Hm . . . yes . . . yes . . .
LIDKA: Jenik, please do . . .
JENIK (fixing his eyes on her, then for a moment half-closing the lids in meditation; after which, suddenly): Come here, Lidka. . . (Draws her on to his knees; after a while): So I've got to confess, then . . .
LIDKA (passes her hands over his face; nods.)
JENIK (dreamily): How it did lighten last night.
LIDKA: And you are really happy?
JENIK: No, no. . . that's not it. Or perhaps it is, though. Happy as the month of June out of doors. Happy to stifling beneath the great burden of blossoms. As happy as that. Well, I don't know. I ask for no reasons, Lidka, none at all. If there's a flood, let there be a flood, then . . .(In a whisper.) Such a beautiful flood . . .
LIDKA (with a sob in the modulation of her voice; closing her eyes): Such a terribly beautiful flood.
