160
FRÁŇA ŠRÁMEK
while we're away. . . Perhaps it wouldn't do for her.
JENIK (laughing): Very well, I don't mind. (Looking at the clock.) But hurry up . . . we must go soon. We'll stop at Novák's on the way and kill two birds with one stone. We'll have an evening snack, too, at some provision shop on the way.
MRS. LEDYNSKA: As you like. . . Well, I'll make haste. (Enters the side room.)
JENIK: Lidka, bring me the cigarettes from the little table! (Lidka hurries out and returns with a box of cigarettes. She lights one for Jenik. After a pause.)
LIDKA (timidly): Jenik, why are you like that to-day?
JENIK: Like what?
LIDKA: Why, you are so tender . . . so happy.
JENIK: Aha!
LIDKA: To-day, you haven't got your irritating laugh. You do laugh, but it's a different langh.
JENIK: Aha!
LIDKA: You know, I thought—
JENIK: . . . you thought. . .
LIDKA: Well. . .
JENIK: I'm getting quite inquisitive.
LIDKA: Well—that you had fallen in love.
JENIK (looks at her for a moment, then bursts out laughing): Why, Lidka, Lidka . . that's really great.
