Bozena.—Why, it’s only paper? (Laughs.)
Šimr.—That’s the joke of it! That’s for Dušek’s miserable soul!
Réza (Screams out).—Jesus, Mary—hush, Mr. Šimr! Don’t say it—not even in fun!
Šimr.—Don’t frighten us every little while by screaming, Réza! (Goes to her.) Come on, let’s rather have a little dance. Vána will play a gallop. (Šimr dances with Réza.)
Malina.—Come on, Bozena! (He dances with Bozena.)
Paroubek.—Don’t stamp! The major downstairs will come up and read you the riot act.
Malina (Dancing).—Well, I’m glad of this, myself.
Šimr (Dancing).—Who says we’re stamping?
Malina (Loosens his hold of Bozena).—I’m out of practice! Come and sit down, Bozena! (Seats himself beside her on the divan.)
(Vaniček bangs the strings and stops playing.)
Šimr (With Réza in his arms).—Well, what?
Vaniček.—Next year, again!
Paroubek (Draws a cornucopia from his pocket).—Look, what I found at home today. It’s a cornucopia full of bengal powder left over from last year when we did that “living pictures” stunt!
Malina (Quickly).—Come, let’s do a tableau now!
Šimr.—What shall it be?
Paroubek.— Wait, something improvised! Bozena, you climb upon the table!
(Bozena climbs up on the table.)
Paroubek.—Réza, you take the azaleas.
(Réza gets the azaleas.)
Paroubek.—Vaniček will sit on the floor and will represent the orchestra.
(Vaniček seats himself on the floor.)
Paroubek.—Now, where’ll we put these two stumps? (Looks around at Šimr and Malina. Just then a bell in the front hall sounds.)
Bozena (Cries out).—The major is coming!
Malina (Simultaneously).—That’s Hlaváček.
Šimr.—He wouldn’t ring. (Looks into front hall.) Open! (Goes out.) Ah, my respects, Mr. Bukač! (Returns to studio.)
Paroubek.—Bukač! Girls, call out “Long live the seventh Great Power!” Glory to the editor!
Réza (Simultaneously).—Long live the seventh Great Power!
