and I’m gathering them up for Mr. Bláha’s concert.
Mrs. Heller.—Please do!
(Vlasák and Clara leave.)
Mrs. Heller (Follows them but stops at the rear).—Helen, dear, aren’t you coming?
Helen.—Wait a minute, auntie—just a minute. I want to hear out Mr. Fořt. (Laughs.)
Mrs. Heller (Merrily).—Poor Mr. Fořt. (Departs.)
Helen (Seating herself).—Well, then—you fountain of news!
Fořt.—Do you know what I want to tell you?
(Helen shakes her head.)
Fořt.—Dušek is in love with you.
Helen (With comic amazement).—You don’t mean it?
Fořt (Naïvely).—Don’t you know it? Last evening we were at Nikl’s and Dušek confided in me. (Laughs emptily.) That was some fun! He told how beautiful you are—really—he said that!—and what talent you have
(Helen laughs.)
Fořt.—I laughed at him, too, until I got him wrathy. He said to me “If you only knew how such a woman uplifts a man!” And he owned up to me that he’d die without you!
Helen (In humorous vein).—And did he tell you to tell me?
Fořt.—Why, what do you think? I had to promise that I’d not betray him. (Innocently.) See, again some one loves you!
Helen (Alluringly).—Why, don’t you, any more?
Fořt (Confused).—I, Miss—? (Hesitates.)
Helen (Laughs).—Ah, thou bumpkin!
Fořt (Foolishly).—Aren’t you poking fun at me, Miss Helen?
(Dušek enters at rear and stands still in door of music room. From behind the scenes are heard the passionate, longing strains of a violin.)
Helen (Laughs outright at Fořt).—Go and listen to that virtuoso, go! (Notices Dušek.) Look, Mr. Dušek is afraid of that violin!
Dušek (Enters slowly).—Am I intruding?
Helen.—Just come in, Mr. Dušek, and take Mr. Fořt’s place.
Fořt.—Miss Helen always finds some agreeable excuse when she wants to get rid of me.
Helen (Laughing).—Do you know, Mr. Fořt—(Stopping) But why should I make you angry at me?
Fořt (Departing).—I renounce the rest of my punishment
