Vlasák (Quickly).—Surely not Dušek?
Helen.—Oh, no! That other one—Hlaváček.
Vlasák (With great anxiety).—Did he recognize you?
Helen.—To be sure not! He would surely have greeted me. But he didn’t give a sign.
Vlasák.—Don’t do such things, Helen!
Helen.—Well, it’s the first time it ever happened.
Vlasák (Shakes his finger threateningly).—And the last!
Helen.—Why, did I do it so clumsily? (Draws her watch from the bosom of her dress and looks at it.) Viki, it is almost half past six! At eight the concert will be over—and if Aunt should stop at home and I were not there yet
Vlasák.—What did you tell her?
Helen.—I told her that I’d go home in her carriage
Vlasák.—But at home?
Helen (Carelessly).—Nothing.
(A bell sounds in the vestibule.)
Vlasák (Frightened).—Who is that?
Helen (In a low voice).—Don’t open.
Vlasák (Also in a low voice).—Who can it be? It surely wouldn’t occur to anyone that I’m at home!
Helen.—We won’t make a sound.
Vlasák.—Pst! Don’t talk! (They seat themselves at the table.)
Helen (Whispering).—Does anyone come here in the evenings?
Vlasák (Whispering).—Never. I am never at home in the evenings.
Helen.—Who can it be, then?
(A renewed ringing.
Vlasák (Shaking his finger).—Let them ring!
Helen (Much alarmed, whispering).—He must have seen that light in the window.
Vlasák (Looks towards the window).—The curtain is drawn.
Helen—But perhaps, even through the curtain
Vlasák.—Pst! (A violent, prolonged ringing.)
Helen.—He surely noticed the light.
Vlasák (Suddenly).—The servant! (Whispers.) She was to come back to build a fire, she went for coal —and the key is in the door. (The bell is rung more vehemently.)
Helen.—Go and open the door for her.
Vlasák.—And what if it isn’t she?
