172
FRÁŇA ŠRÁMEK
when you go, Lidka . . . and stay down at Hořický's, we'll come and fetch you afterwards. . . (Exit.)
LIDKA (taking fright): Mother. . .
MRS. LEDYNSKA (in the door-way): Well, what is it?
LIDKA (in some depression): Perhaps after all you'd better . . .
MRS. LEDYNSKA: Shall I stay at home?
LIDKA (with a sudden burst of violent laughter): No . . . no . . . it only just occurred to me . . . no . . . you go now, Jenik's waiting.
JENIK (from outside): Come along, mother, do . . . bye, bye, Lidka.
MRS. LEDYNSKA: Come and bolt the door after us.
(Exeunt both.)
LIDKA (returns after a moment; runs in violently, stands still in the middle of the room, clasps her face in her hands): He said that he's coming . . .heavens . . . he's coming! (She runs to the window. Her eyes stare into the street, she clutches the window-sill convulsively; for a moment she remains in this position; suddenly she is shaken by a spasm. She runs out quickly, and can be heard opening the door outside. She returns, her lips distorted by a hysterical smile, her eyes melting with fire; she goes to the window, plucks a few sprigs of myrtle, and sinks down overwhelmed
