Hlaváček.—Oh, not at all—the bonds became looser just gradually.—We are friends as before —except that the former heartiness is lacking. (Laughing.) To be sure—here to this gathering—we came together; Dušek had to introduce me.
Nedoma.—Oh, well, you’ll get used to this sort of thing.
Hlaváček.—I’d almost say, doctor, that I’d be afraid of it. (Confused.) Oh, Sapristi! I’m talking a little too freely.
Nedoma (With a smile).—Oh, just go ahead and talk! If I were Dušek I would envy you that tenacity.
Hlaváček.— Really?
(Nedoma nods.)
(A pause.)
Hlaváček.—But Dušek has completely adjusted himself to a different atmosphere.
Nedoma.—He was adjusted into it, as the saying goes. (Significantly.) A will o’ the wisp as in your picture—you know? But for that he has changed into a perfect dandy. (Throws his head in direction of other room.) Well, hasn’t he? (Making a motion with his hand.) If he’d paint more and better, it would be better for him.
(Hlaváček nods.)
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. (Spells out the words) im-press-ive-ly raves, I tell you. And not only out of gallantry! Everywhere that he sets foot. And he believes what he says. (Violently) That’s how stupid he has become here, that’s to what degree his senses have become stultified!
Hlaváček.—Do you think, doctor, that I don’t feel it all doubly?
(A pause.)
Nedoma (Suddenly).—Oh, well, what’s he to us, anyway? Let’s talk about something else! In the first place—since you’ve sold your “Will o’ the Wisp” you must paint me something else
