Bohemian, you know; and this morning the sign read: "Franz Chadima, scoundrel," o-hav-ník.
Roubal (With a malicious smile).—Serves her right. Why does she mix into this business, a woman? (They walk slowly a few steps.)
Gülich.—And she wants to have a play; that's a new thing too.
Roubal.—Mrs. Rettig! Wants to take part in a play? (Begins to laugh maliciously.) Well, well, she would look fine.
Gülich.—No, not that, but she—
Roubal (With a shrug).—And I simply can't stand plays. I don't go to the theater, can't bear even to hear of it. If a king played a king's part and a count that of a count, then it would be something like; but as it is, the common trash gets lordly-and I am supposed to look on? And what about this Rettig woman, who they say—?
Gülich.—She wants the people of this town to take part; Dilettantenvorstellung, aber böhmisch.[1]
Roubal.—And in the castle, I suppose; no, in the castle theater.
Gülich.—Where French and German plays are given; not that. (With a sneer.) For the time being only "at the sign of the Black Eagle."
Roubal.—That would be a fine state of affairs, at the castle! "Ex-qui-site colt, ex-qui-site!"—She had better let such business alone.
Gülich (With a sneer).—And magistrate Rettig doesn't approve of this much, as I hear. Just lately, they say, he complained: "If I could only have some nice soup!" But so it goes: the little lady has to be constantly making experiments even with the potato vine itself; always experimenting and inventing!
Roubal.—And she passes off such things on him; they are neither salty nor greasy, and so not even goody. (Laughs at his own joke. Both retire to the rear, where they disappear among the trees.)
Scene V
Mrs. Roller, Mrs. Roubínek, Roubínek
Before the entrance of the characters, Mrs. Roller's loud laughter is heard at the left, behind the scenes.
- ↑ An amateur performance, but in Bohemian.
