The Clerk

Hanka obtains a position in a toy shop, whose owner is Ladislav Ronovský, a man whose only interest is work. Ronovský is overworked and his doctor strongly recommends a stay in the mountains. Ronovský entrusts his shop to his double, Kožíšek, so that his employees believe that their chief is still present. In Ronovsky's absence, Kožíšek raises the employees salaries and offers Hanka his hand in marriage. The well-rested Ronovský is greeted with an unpleasant surprise on his return, and makes his dissatisfaction apparent to all his employees, including Hanka, who reminds him of his promise to marry her. The unhappy girl hands in her notice even when Ronovský asks her to stay in his employment. Hanka goes to say her farewells to the shop later that evening and falls asleep, a doll in her arms. Woken by a noise she discovers thieves robbing the safe in the office and calls the police. Ronovský proposes marriage to her but the girl refuses him because she believes his offer to be motivated by gratitude alone. A year later they meet again, this time in the mountains. From remarks that she makes about an forthcoming wedding, Ronovský understands that she is soon to be married and departs from the mountain cottage, gravely disappointed. Hanka follows him through a blizzard and finally they meet up again after a railway accident during which Ronovský has been injured. Hanka explains to him that it is her mother who will be married, not her. Ronovský proposes to her once again and this time she does not turn him down.