Hlavdcek  (Returns,  incensed.  With  long  strides,  his  hands  in
his  pockets,  he  paces  the  studio.  After  a  pause). — Hereafter  enact
such  scenes  as  this  without  my  presence,  I  beg  you,  Dusek!

Dusek  (striking  his  hands  together). — For  God's  sake,  please,
Hlavacek  .  .  .  (Explodes.)  You  have  something  for  your
companions  and  the  ale-house — haven't  you?

Hlavdcek  (Suddenly  and  wrathily). — Dusek!  (Maliciously.)
Now  the  ropes  are  torn  to  pieces — and  now — you  can  soar!  Away
off  somewhere  to  the  New  Town  to  St.  James'  Square — yes?

Dusek. — Lado,  if  you  knew  how  I  feel  now  you  wouldn't  tor-
ture me!

Hlavdcek. — Oh,  you'll  console  yourself  again.     (Recovering.)


12  THE  WILL  O'  THE  WISP

And  for  that  matter,  do  what  you  please !  (Pulls  out  a  drawer  in
the  table  and  stirring  up  the  papers  therein,  indifferently.}  Didn't
you  see  that  book  here  that  I  brought  yesterday?

Dusek  (Who  has  meantime  consulted  his  watch,  then  quickly
removed  his  coat,  untied  his  necktie  and  unbuttoned  his  collar.  From
the  case  on  the  shelf  he  takes  a  clean  collar,  and  another  tie  and  dresses
himself). — No,  I  didn't.
Hlavdcek  (Observing  him,  indifferently}. — Are  you  going  some-
where ?

Dusek  (Dressing  himself}. — Where  would  I  go?  You  know
the  ladies  are  coming.
