Gustav.—Yes, dear Mrs. Korber—our problem.
(The scene which ensues is that of a parting between two old lovers. She tells him that the walls of the room of the opposite house seem to reproach her for her infidelity. He says that he has noticed her indifference to him. He returns little love notes which they exchanged, when he worked in the law library next to her sewing-room. He wants to begin a new life also, and returns these to her so that all the witnesses may be destroyed. She places them on the mantel. He goes over to her and embraces her passionately. He kisses her once more, and covering her face with her hands, she rushes into an adjoining room. He leaves. There is a long pause. Enters Joseph Valenta, a tall, grayish man, poorly dressed. He holds his cap in his hand.)
(Valenta takes a few steps into the empty room, looks around, goes back again to the door, coughs.)
Theresa (entering from adjoining room).—Who’s here?
Valenta.—Pardon, Gnädige Frau, pardon my liberty.
Theresa.—Who let you in?
Valenta.—I did not have to ring at all, Gnädige Frau.[1] The door was open, there was no one in the vestibule, so I walked in here.
Theresa.—And what do you want?
Valenta.—I wanted to ask you to kindly, to—I met Dr. Korber in the street about half an hour ago, when he left the house, and I begged him—I asked for some kind of employment even if it were ever so small. The doctor, he was so kind, he said I should come over here, that he will come back here and we’ll talk about it. Some minor clerical work or errands. I would do anything; you’d be satisfied—I am an old man, but I am well preserved, and when the doctor gave me hopes he said he would see—excuse me, Gnädige Frau. I was so bold as to
- ↑ I have used the title of “Gnädige Frau” and not “milostpam,” its Bohemian equivalent. My reason for it is twofold: in the first place, it is a strictly German custom imported into Kleinstädliches Bohemia; and secondarily, because the American readers will more readily understand the meaning of that custom if it is in German. Personally, I should have preferred to use the Bohemian “milostpam” in colloquial usage. This flattering title is pronounced “gnä’ge,” and it is used in this form by Valenta.
