Gülich.—Why then all these new words, diese Wortspielerei.[1]
Mrs. Rettig.—Yes, I used to think that way myself. When I heard the word patriot it was enough to make me laugh. I used to think that that was a name given to such people as liked to speak Bohemian and who used the second person plural, and I thought that they got angry when they were addressed in the third person, German fashion. I thought that they cared only for using Bohemian words instead of German, and for nothing else. But later I heard that Jungmann, who has always been praised as a learned and a wise man, wept on the White Mountain,[2] and that Professor Kynský's eyes were full of tears when he lectured to the students about Charles IV[3]. That touched me. Then I began to understand that grave and learned men have something more at heart than mere quibbles over words, that they are struggling for something more, for more—and then—
Gülich.—Mr. Rettig was also an apostle.
Mrs. Rettig.—Yes, I am happy that I can say so. I found a husband who led me on and whom I understood. He was already—
Gülich.—An Anabaptist.
Mrs. Rettig.—Even so (with a smile). That baptism was later; we were baptized in the parish church at Dobřan. Deacon Ziegler, now at Chrudim, thought of the idea.
Mrs. Roller and Mrs. Roubínek look at each other, bewildered; Roubínek is amazed.
Gülich.—Who was godmother for you?
Mrs. Rettig.—For me, nobody; but for my first child the Countess Kolovrat, born Countess Kinský, lady of the palace, and a sincere Bohemian.
Mrs. Roller.—Is it possible!
Mrs. Rettig.—Let me explain, ladies. The countess accepted the dedication of the book that I wrote for the daughters of Bohemia. Thus she was a sort of godmother, and if you wish, ladies, to see the baptismal gift—(She points to her gold cross and chain.)
Mrs. Roubínek.—Ah!
Mrs. Roller.—That was worth while.
