Mrs. Roller (Peevishly).—How else could it be? Those are the fellows who go to Mrs. Rettig's, you know, for books, but really— (pointedly) well, you know why.
Gülich—And what about the happy lover, Dr. Plavec?
Mrs. Roubínek.—He is pacing about like a hen at a pond with a duckling in the water.
Roubal—He could dance with the Rettig woman.
Mrs. Roller (To Gulich).—And you see, you remember what she said to us yesterday in the park, how she preached about the coming marriage of Dr. Plavec.
Mrs. Roubínek.—And that she would break it off, that she must break it off. And instead she brings the doctor his sweet-heart, plays the chaperone for her.
Gülich.—If Dr. Plavec only knew it!
Mrs. Roubínek.—Do you think so? (Glances at Mrs. Roller.) That's true!
Mrs. Roller (Looks straight into her eyes, grasping her thought).—That's true, he ought to know about it!
Behind the scenes at the left is heard clapping, louder than before, and shouts of "bravo!"
Gülich (Sneeringly).—They must like it!
Roubal.—That's the end; now a man may go and get a drink. (Walks towards the left.)
Scene IV
The same, Mrs. Rettig.
Mrs. Rettig comes in hurriedly from the left in the foreground, glancing towards the right. Roubal in his haste without knowing it steps directly in her way, and stops in consternation.
Mrs. Rettig.—Ah, Mr. Steward! (Roubal tips his hat slightly and starts to go on.) How do you like it, Mr. Steward?
Roubal.—O, finely, ex-qui-site-ly.
Mrs. Rettig.—That student declaimed very well.
Roubal (Morosely).—Well, if—I eigentlich[1]—am thirsty. Gehorsamster.[2] (Makes off and goes out hastily to the left in the foreground.)
