Page:Ivan Cankar - Hlapci.pdf/59

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won't we? How many arrived? Where do they sit? (Turns to the people.) Today is the judgment day . . .

A young peasant: Who will you show who the boss is; who?

Kalander. (To Pisek.) Do not shout, drunken fly!

Pisek. (Turning.) Drunken? Who is drunk? Who do you proclaim a drunkard?

Worker. You are drunk like a cow, get out of here!

Pisek. (Takes a step back, taking his coat off.) Oh, your excellence, do not take offense! (Bows, speaking unclearly.) Pardon me, have I guaranteed myself the liberty to so to say . . . Judge for myself . . . (Turns away from the people.) Do not bother this excellent gathering! The lords ask to be let some solitude! We are all naughts and poors, we stink like muck! (Taking a look at Jerman.) Who are you? We take care of you, we feed you; you remain a rebel and stare at us as though we were uncivilized bastards. Do we require some calm-less soul here? Let me clear the waters: do not bother with the flame; for you will bake your skin and pain will never come to reduce! (Turns back to the people.) Such will, huh? Jerman wants to give you a lesson, huh? (Continues to speak; from time to time, their voice can be heard: "Excellence," "needy," "Peasants," "What?" . . . The room is nearly filled.)

Kalander's wife. (From the left; speaking softly and is hardly heard.) Have they arrived? They have come! They're sitting among the faithless and the Anti-Christs, muddying their soul, drawing shame to themselves, their wife and their children!

Kalander. I knew she would come on time! God bless, do take a drink, old lady.

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