Director Baum, and yet Director Scheidler may not be the worst we could have! He was here for two years!
Kralenec.—Three.
Tonicka.—Well then, three years among us,—he knows the people, and he never was a harsh man.
Kralenec.—But will he follow out the instructions given him . . . And will he begin to let men out of employment? If I were to finally become a vagabond,—(with a clouded face,) like Brouzda,—with you,—and the children.—(Sinking into a chair.)
Tonicka.—What an idea!
Kralenec.—I am, and I want to be, a decent, self-respecting man. I have no one but you, and our dear children . . . And that Brouzda . . . today, he begs, . . . tomorrow he will steal . . . and day after tomorrow, . . . Oh God! God!
Tonicka.—Vojtech! We have one another! We must not forsake each other! (Some one knocks.) Come! (Enter Miner Pivousek in his miner’s clothes.)
Scene XI
Pivousek, Vojtech, Kralenec, Tonicka, later Bozenka, Pepicek, and Ruzenka
Pivousek (Gazing around).—Are we alone? I have heard that there were a number of miners here.
Kralenec.—They were here. They have gone away.
Pivousek.—There will be other gatherings. I came to announce to you that the new superintendent has arrived. Tomorrow at ten, in the morning, a great parade will be held in his honor. Everyone is to be in miner’s clothes. But day after tomorrow,—and for you also, Kralenec, there will be a worse parade.
Kralenec, Tonicka.—What’s that?
Pivousek.—Day after tomorrow, everyone who works in the mines must go to the chancery, and there openly declare whether or not he will be willing to work for lower wages.
Kralenec.—What are you saying?
Pivousek.—They are bringing up but little coal from below, . . . no one knows why, but every miner must accept a cut of thirty cents a day in his wages, or take leave of absence from his work.
