The Cremator (Modern Czech Classics) by Ladislav Fuks

Author:Ladislav Fuks
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9788024632902
Publisher: Karolinum Press
Published: 2017-06-20T04:00:00+00:00

IX

‘Oh, what a Christmas this year,’ Mr. Kopfrkingl smiled at Lakmé in the dining-room. She was at that very moment wiping the chair-seats. Then he glanced at the corner with its big Christmas tree, and said: ‘What a blessed Christmas. New subscribers for cremation are simply pouring in. Everyone is abandoning the ground in favour of furnaces and ashes. In fact, I’ve bought the presents for both our shining ones,’ he said, probably thinking of the children, ‘out of the commission. Mr. Strauss is highly successful. What a good, conscientious fellow. I wonder where he’ll be this evening. He had to leave the porter’s lodge,’ Mr. Kopfrkingl glanced at the spot over the cabinet where the family photograph taken on Zina’s birthday was hanging. ‘His wife died of consumption of the throat, his son of scarlet fever . . . and I’ve found another one. Who is it?’ he smiled at Lakmé’s question as she continued to clean the chair-seats. ‘Another good fellow, also conscientious and honest, a Mr. Rubinstein. This time there can’t be much doubt that he’s Jewish,’ he gave a smile. ‘Rubinsteins are Jewish. He used to be Liba’s salesman, the bed-linen firm, but Liba collapsed. It seems that people somehow buy less bed-linen. Mr. Rubinstein has been selling bed-linen, and now he’ll be offering cremation,’ he gave a smile. ‘It’s the same thing really. Both are concerned with making beds and going to bed. One is temporary, in bed for one night, the other is for ever, in the coffin for eternity. Mr. Rubinstein is also fond of music, particularly Mozart and Friml . . . But there’s one thing I don’t like about Mr. Rubinstein, namely, that he’s divorced,’ he approached Lakmé standing by the chair and gently stroked her hair. ‘I’d rather he wasn’t. Or if it has to be, then I’d rather he were a widower like Mr. Strauss or Mr. Holý,’ he stroked Lakmé anew. ‘However, it’s no concern of ours, and it’s not for us to weigh and judge; who knows what was behind it. Not every marriage, my heavenly one,’ he gave a sigh, ‘can be as beautiful and happy as ours. Pity,’ he said, approaching the tree in the corner, ‘what a pity that your late mother won’t come here any more. When I am lighting the candles tonight she will only be able to come as a spirit. On the other hand, Willi is going to appear here at five o’clock . . .’

‘You talk as if he were a ghost,’ smiled Lakmé with a glance at the chair. ‘Is Erna coming too?’

‘Erna’s not coming,’ said Mr. Kopfrkingl. ‘She probably has her hands full this evening. I expect they’re having guests, the Germans from the Prague SdP. Never mind,’ he gave a smile, ‘Willi’s not going to stay long. He just wants to tell me something. Probably that I’m a renegade and a coward,’ he gave a smile, ‘that I don’t have any feelings for my blood, that I’m not performing my duties.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.