JUNE
153
know how he talks? (she imitates a male voice). Aha, the thermometer's crawling up. Let's bandage it in ice. . . Mother, do take this syrup away,—it makes my teeth chatter . . . (bursts out laughing). That's just how he talks. . .
MRS. LEDYNSKA (forcing herself to laugh as well): Why, yes. . . you take him off quite well . . . (then in deep thought about something). But sometimes it quite makes my eyes swim, when once he starts. As if he dragged everything up by the roots.
LIDKA (in sudden embarrasament) : Mother!
MRS. LEDYNSKA: Well?
LIDKA: Are . . . are the others just like Jenik?
MRS. LEDYNSKA (pretending to be angry): Tut, tut . . . like him, indeed. They have claws instead of a tongue, and they never wear their heart on their sleeve (growing calmer). Well
. . . Jenik knows a lot, he's learnt a lot. (Looking at the clock,) But he is having his sleep out to-day; it's getting on towards four. . . Still, it was quite broad daylight when he came home. I expect he had a proper good time again. Well, he is taking a good nap. I almost think I ought to wake him up. (She goes to the door of the side-room.)
LIDKA (dreamily): They never wear their heart on their sleeve. . . (From the door of the little room Jenik comes violently towards Mrs,
