house, because his son has banished it hence, and so I must follow the musicians even to the market-place, because I have not where to entertain them at my house. Will you lead me to them?”
“I will lead you to them”, said Frank at random, without knowing what he said or why he said it.
“That pleases me,” said Loyka, “and inasmuch as the way will be a long one, we must rest ourselves here yet a little space.”
And they seated themselves on the graves, as if by accident old Loyka and Frank on the grandfather’s grave, Staza on her mother’s grave; Vena stood.
But at this point another character appeared on the scene, and when he had posted himself near them said, “Pray, who at this late hour here disturbs my lodgers? I have guaranteed them rest, and will not have them molested.” He said it heartily, and with a certain humour. It was the grave-digger, Bartos.
“Good man,” said Loyka, “we seek a lodging for the night, and if you will let us be here, you can seat yourself beside us.”
Before Bartos had stepped up to the group he had heard who they were, he recognized Loyka and the children by their voices, and by listening a few moments had soon understood what brought them thither. He therefore wanted no explanation, and at once adapted himself to the situation.
“If that is all your trouble,” said he in the same voice, “you can remain here as long as you please; but it will not please you very long, I fancy.” And he seated himself beside them.
“So, so, so, so”, muttered Loyka, as was his custom when some process in his ideas had to be emphasized.
“What thinkest thou, old friend, who has suffered most, I or Jesus of Nazareth?”
“You, pantata, and because none of us know what you have yet to suffer, although you have already suffered much.”
At these words Loyka started, because it was just as though they had been chosen out of his own soul, and he had rather expected contradiction.
“But I do not want to suffer any more, lad, and, if you know, pray, tell me what I am to do.”
“I know one thing you might do”, said Bartos. “If you were to lie down to rest in these chambers,” and here he pointed to the graves, “all would be over; but you have no right to them yet, nor dare I enclose you in them. However, I will tell you what you should do. You want nothing but to divert yourself a little.”
