look bad, very bad. That one of ours was let out; all of a sudden!
Tonicka.—Mother Mary! What is the matter?
Veverka (Gazing out of the window).—Bad, I say, bad! But here comes Vojtech with Rokos! They must know something about it!
(Kralenec, Rokos, pass the window and step into the room.)
Tonicka.—Vojtech! Rokos!
Veverka.—I have told her already.
Kralenec.—That traitor, Merfajt, has won out! Our director has been dismissed, and a new man, Scheidler, is already here!
Tonicka.—Scheidler? Who used to be an assistant in the mines?
Veverka.—I knew what would happen, as soon as the company ordered a change! The books were all in perfect order, no screw loose anywhere, and yet they have pushed out Director Baum!
Tonicka.—And what do they want to do?
Kralenec.—To lower the miners’ wages and—
Tonicka.—And . . .
Kralenec.—And to close our school.
Tonicka.—Good Heavens! What do the miners say to that? And what do the Germans say?
Kralenec.—They feel about it just as we do. Something unfortunate will be the outcome. The German as well as the Cech, . . . all of us, are miners. The Germans are not opposed to our school. They have one of their own, and they are willing that we should keep ours. Anyhow, it means nothing out of their coffers.
Veverka.—Look, look! There is the school-master with the chaplain! I shall call them in! (Opens the window and calls.) Honorable chaplain! worthy school-master!
Tonicka.—Good Heavens! Is everything in order here? (Looks around.) Everywhere tracks from the snow, (wiping the place where Brouzda was sitting,) and here sat that good-for-nothing!
(The teacher, Sejkora, and the young chaplain Krejsa enter together.)
